RYAN Morrell scored a hat-trick of tries and Adam Lavis kicked six conversions as New Milton beat Fareham Heathens 57-10 to leapfrog Petersfield at the top of Hampshire One.
Knowing they would be assured of climbing to the summit with victory, New Milton made a storming start, Lee Thomas, Sam Bew, Morrell and Ramon Mallette going over inside the opening 20 minutes.
Fareham responded with a try of their own but Sam O'Regan's score sent the home team into the break 33-5 ahead.
Chris Daly crashed through the visitors' defences to touch down shortly after the restart, with Morrell and O'Regan's second tries of the afternoon sandwiching Fareham's lone second-half score.
Morrell rounded off proceedings by completing his treble to give New Milton a five-point advantage over Petersfield with two games to play.
Team: D Smith, George, Wright, Steers, Bew, Waugh, Treacey, L Thomas, J O'Regan, Lavis, Oliver, Mallette, S O'Regan, Morrell, Z Smith, Daly, McQueen, Conacher.
Oakmeadians had a tough day at the office as they were soundly beaten by Wimborne II.
The Meyrick Park side were on the end of a 67-15 thrashing by the second-placed team in Dorset & Wilts One South.
Oaks are eighth in the standings with four games remaining.
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