HOVE have taken a massive step towards London Four South East survival thanks to a rare success on the road.

Phil Ward's men scored only their second away win in 17 attempts since returning to regional league rugby as they saw off Chichester 18-3.

The result pushes them back into the middle of the table and keeps Chichester rooted at the bottom ahead of next Saturday's four-pointer with Park House.

How many teams go down remains to be decided but the best Chi can realistically hope for now is to finish second from bottom.

Hove skipper Phil Ward felt his side could have won by a wider margin.

He said: "We have got a bit more structure to our game now.

"We camped in their 22 for long periods and should have scored more points."

Brian Roussel grabbed two tries and there was also a score for flanker Darryl Elliott, who was later sent-off for illegal use of the boot. Ward and Chi's Richard Johnson kicked a penalty apiece.

Eastbourne played some great stuff in patches as they won 38-0 at home to Folkestone.

Tries came from Spencer Pullinger, Adrian Norwood, Mark Ashworth, Andy Moore, Matt Bremer and Jon Lord, who also kicked four conversions.

Heathfield's home game with Dartfordians was called off. The Hardy Roberts Ground is still closed as part of of foot-and-mouth precautions.

PAUL Cox grabbed a hat-trick of tries in a blistering 16-minute spell as Worthing thrashed Askeans 66-0.

The result keeps them in with an outside chance of a promotion play-off spot in London Three South East.

But they were not helped by second placed Sidcup sneaking in 13-11 at Charlton Park.

Cox is one of several Worthing players to have caught the eyes of the county selectors.

Two others combined for the opening scores as Ben Coulson twice sent winger Neal Weston in.

Jamie Newhouse, Stuart McLaughlan and lock Charlie McGowan also went over before the break.

As well as Cox's triple, Coulson and Dave Davies scored tries in the second period with Coulson totalling eight conversions for a haul of 21 points.

East Grinstead are still on target to finish fourth after beating Crawley 11-0 in a derby which was switched from water-logged Willoughby Fields to Saint Hill.

Scrum half Dan Moore scored after a forward drive, Steve O'Reilly kicked a penalty and Ray Hennessy dug a drop goal out of the mud.

Brighton coach Steve Dunnill took heart from his side's display in a 27-12 defeat at leaders Tunbridge Wells. Geraint Jones kicked four penalties for Brighton.

Lewes's home game with Cranbrook was called off as some Kent players would not travel due to a foot-and-mouth outbreak in their area.