FORDINGBRIDGE left Chineham empty-handed as they tumbled to a second successive defeat in Snows Hampshire One.

The appalling conditions hampered 'Bridge from emulating intricate rugby which helped them win their first five games.

And instead, the 36-8 loss saw them slip off top spot and down to second, overtaken by form-finding Bognor.

A host of injuries and unavailabilities forced coach John Stockley to select a much-changed side from the one that lost to Fareham Heathens.

Among the absentees were captain and playmaker at number ten, Steve Brown, and goal kicker Mat Norton.

Rob Hay stepped in as interim skipper on an afternoon to forget, despite their spirited effort.

The home side opened the scoring with a breakaway try under the posts but Dan Brown responded with the visitors' only try, running a superb line from the 22.

A converted penalty from Mark Hammond put 'Bridge on eight points, but that was the total they amassed.

They struggled with set pieces, which gave Chineham relentless chances of scoring - and they were prolific.

The seconds were also on the losing side, being defeated by Poole 5-41 at the Recreation Ground.

Captain Matt Vass said: "We may have lost but it was a cracking game of rugby and a massive improvement for us as a team."