CARL Pittaway revelled in a new role as Hove at last got their first away win of the season.

Pittaway switched from No.8 to inside centre and scored four tries in a 31-19 London Three South East success.

The result is another hammerblow to Horsham's hopes of escaping a second successive wooden spoon.

Hove did most of the damage going down the renowned Coolhurst slope in the first half.

Jason Hammond, a livewire scrum half who has been playing for Redruth II, returned to the club on holiday from university and scored a try, with Phil Ward adding three conversions.

Prop Dominic Henderson admitted: "We're not great away from home and Horsham's scrummaging gave us a real challenge.

"We knew we had to win this one and it was a good all round performance."

For Horsham, Martin Watson, James Hodgson and Dan Senneck scored tries with John Macfarlane converting two.

Coach Jim Maskell said: "We showed glimpses of the type of rugby we want to play, but we didn't get going until it was too late."

It's so far so good for Brighton as they reach the Christmas break top of the table with a 100 percent league record.

They scored seven tries on the way to a 41-15 home win over Folkestone and the only disappointment for coach Ian Watkins was that their fine defensive record was spoiled by a last minute try.

Watkins admitted: "I would have taken that scoreline before the game.

"We've got to the turn unbeaten and full credit to the players for their dedication and work rate."

Conrad Burke scored two tries with Bok Erasmus, Mark Griffiths, James Lewis and Mark Gibb also crossing.

Geraint Jones, needing eight points for a century so far this season, slotted three conversions but saw two kicks come back off the uprights.

Eastbourne's pack claimed six of ten tries in a 62-0 hammering of Beccehamians.

Robbie Simmons grabbed two, Paul Smart, Adrian Norwood and Matt Thompson also struck and there was a pushover try for which no-one could stake a convincing claim.

Wing Matt Bremer marked his return from an ankle injury with a try hat-trick to move to 11 for the season.

Danny Craven also went over and Jon Groenen struck six conversions.

Chichester are also going well and skipper Jody Levett was delighted with the 23-6 win at Medway which sees them to ten points by Christmas.

Chi took a depleted squad to Kent, with outside half Kenny Knox, so impressive as a stand-in of late, among the drop outs because of back trouble.

Dai Davies got a rare call-up at No.10 and emergency scrum half Richard Johnson took over the goalkicking duties.

Levett admitted: "We were struggling for players. The last game before Christmas is always a nightmare."

Stuart Brandon (2) and Michael Fradgely were the try scorers and Johnson added a conversion and two penalties.

Crawley said farewell to popular prop Vaughan van Rensburg in great style by beating Tunbridge Wells 23-15.

The New Zealander's visa has expired and he is heading back home after two years with the club.

Steve O'Reilly scored two tries and kicked a conversion and two penalties to maintain Crawley's recent winning run.

Sam Whiteman, who impressed at outside centre, also crossed while the pack earned high marks from coach Steve Pilgrim.

Worthing retain title hopes after a 10-0 win at Heathfield, who are out of the running.

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