Lock Dave Atkin was Haywards Heath's unlikely hat-trick hero as they finally ended their losing run.

Atkin ran in three tries in a 38-21 win at home to Cheshunt in London One to end a worrying series of five successive defeats.

Owen Ashton, spared a place on the bench when two team-mates pulled out through injury, celebrated by collecting the other 23 points, including a try.

The result keeps Heath in mid-table and skipper Henry Goodburn admitted he was a relieved man.

He said: "We always looked the stronger team and all four tries were old style Heath scores from around halfway.

"But there were still a few leaks in defence. It wasn't a sparkling display by any means so we are not getting carried away."

Atkin got up in support of some great moves and admitted: "I was in a dreamworld afterwards. I usually only score one try a season so to get three in one day was pretty special.

"We needed the win. It's early to even think about relegation but we had played extremely poorly in the two previous weeks."

Atkin's new second row sidekick Rick Ure enjoyed a decent debut while hooker Nick Killick and flanker Justin Graham made impressive returns to the side.

Round-up.

Brighton are starting to make up ground on the London Three South East promotion contenders.

They beat Sidcup 15-8 at Waterhall to make it three wins in a row and move to within three points of a play-off spot.

Julian Hutchens and James Lewis scored tries with Geraint Jones adding a penalty and a conversion, but coach Bert Merritt believes his side can still improve.

Merritt said: "I am pleased but I still think we let them off the hook at the end. It should never have been that close."

Brighton are still missing locks Mark Gibb and Danie Venter but hope to have them back in time for what should be a tremendous contest with leaders Worthing two weeks on Saturday.

Worthing had to wait until the closing stages to grind down a stubborn Lewes side but eventually won 13-0.

Mike Imrie kicked a long range penalty and also scored a counter attack try, either side of Steve Dove's strike from a lineout.

Lewes were pleased with their defensive work but Worthing coach Ian Davies said: "On another day we could have scored 60 points."

A couple of pieces of magic from Ray Hennessy helped East Grinstead win 20-3 at Charlton Park to go second.

The Gs player/coach is taking a back seat this season while Russell Turner makes progress at outside half.

But he was forced off the bench to replace Steve O'Reilly after 50 minutes with his side just 6-3 ahead and made two superb breaks to set up tries for Matt Lester. Arnaud Senebaide converted two to add to O'Reilly's two penalties.

Crawley went down 34-5 at Dartfordians. Phil Howe put them back in the contest at 15-5 in the second half after good work from Neil Wattam.