The top two clubs in the South West both dropped vital points in the race for the division 1 league title as Exeter installed themselves as the new favourites to lift the trophy.
Horspath were already outsiders to top the table having lost 3 matches and they slipped up again at Eastbourne where Hellingly Lions shared the points with the Oxford club in an exciting draw on the Lower Dicker circuit.
Rejuvenated Southampton derailed the title hopes of Newport at Winchester Road as a full strength Saints team chalked up a ten point victory thanks to a solid team performance. The Welsh club relied too heavily on their top two Mark Carmichael and Oli Sidwick and badly missed Jack Harrold who was serving a one match suspension.
Poole paid the price for failing to track some of their top names at Harbourside which left the door open for Exeter to plunder the points. Dave Hooper and Thomas Reed were unstoppable for the Devonians who with four matches remaining, three of them on their own circuit, are title favourites. Their one remaining away fixture will be at Southampton which promises to be a cracker!
Results
Hellingly 89: Neil Hollebon 19, Martin Hollebon 18, Jesse Moore 14, Stephen Archer 13, Eddie Ridley 8, E. Patel 6, Mick Stretton 6, Tristian Bassett 5
Horspath 89: Steve Harris 16, Mike Burgess 17, Zac Payne 11, Paul Gibbs 11, Lee Clarke 12, Jordan Richardson 10, Wayne Clarke 10, Pete Payne 2
Poole 79: Arron Smith 17, Chris Shylock 12, Matt Mildon 11, Luke Armes 11, Wil Bristow 10, Sam Hearn 9, Ben Donohue 9
Exeter 94: Dave Hooper 20, Thomas Reed 17, Aaron Herbert 17, Craig Nethercott 13, Dave Murphy 10, Richard Bessant 9, Rob Geach 4, Aaron Coles 4
Southampton 94
Nathan Harris 17 Gavin Wheeler 16, Hayden Chant 14, Tom Colling 13, Peter Chant 11, D Miller 11, Colin Wheeler 8, J Robertson 4
Newport 84
Mark Carmichael 21, Oliver Sidwick 17, Joe Lewis 10, C Davis 9, Kevin Greaves 9, Colin Simmons 8, Nicky Evans 7, A Paul 1
League table - top positions
P W D L Pts
Poole 12 9 0 3 18
Newport 11 8 0 3 16
Exeter 10 8 0 2 16
Horspath 10 6 1 3 13
Southampton 8 4 0 4 8
