Havant travelled to Tunbridge Wells for the first time in the league suspecting that this would be the biggest challenge they had encountered yet this season.

Tunbridge Wells have enjoyed a long unbeaten record spanning the whole of last season and entered today's game unbeaten in the first three outings this season in second place in the league.

Or a firm surface with dry conditions and a surprisingly strong breeze blowing directly down the pitch. Havant selected to play into the wind in the first period

The visitors appeared to get on the wrong side of The referee almost immediately, and this pattern persisted throughout the game the Hooks Lane pack really struggled to get on the same wavelength as the man in green as he penalised them mercilessly at the breakdown.

Tunbridge Wells took the lead as they knocked over two of these penalties and to ironic cheers from the visiting support when Havant were eventually awarded a penalty skipper Joel Knight knocked it over to reduce the deficit.

Although the visitors defence had been solid all half the home side found found a gap on the half hour mark. Centre Charlie Harding swooped on a bouncing pass to spent through under the posts for a converted score.

Tunbridge Wells extended their lead from two further two penalties as the visitors continued to struggle at the breakdown.

Half time: Tunbridge Wells 19 Havant 3

With the wind behind them now Havant enjoyed better territorial advantage in the early part of the second half and 10 minutes on the clock Loz Blackburn continued his try scoring form as he burst over for a score wide on the left.

Tunbridge Wells lost their lock forward to a yellow card for a high tackle on Jerome Trail deep in Havant's 22.

Havant were starting to put some pressure on the opposition but were guilty of inaccuracy at crucial times which let the home side off the hook. As Havant struggled to make the territorial advantage pay Tunbridge Wells always look dangerous with the ball they had.

Havant scored next again through Loz Blackburn. The winger finding space in the corner following good work by forwards and backs and it looked for a moment like a comeback was on the cards.

Almost straight away Tunbridge Wells extended their lead with another penalty.

And then as Havant were putting pressure on the Tunbridge Wells line the home side turned defence into attack as from nothing their speedy fullback found space on the right and ran the length of the field to score a fine individual try.

Havant battled valiantly but had little success in breaking the Tunbridge Wells defence and in the end home side were deserved winners.

Coach Will Knight was disappointed with the teams display,

"We didn't find the precision we needed to break down a good side today."

"Tunbridge played well and took their opportunities, we were guilty of doing things that we don't practice in training and it felt like we struggled to make the right decisions at the right times."

"As a squad we talk about controlling the controllables, today we allowed the referee to get under our skin. Whether he is wrong or right he won't change his mind so we just have to get on with it. They played him well"

"We have lots the work on and a few more players available next week so training and selection will be crucial. We look forward to welcoming Maidstone to Hooks Lane for what will be a crucial encounter."