Promotion hopefuls Millbrook had to overcome early setbacks in a hard-earned 27-19 Snows Group Hampshire 1 victory at Fareham Heathens.

The home side went over twice in the first 20 minutes from a driving maul and a well-worked backs move.

Rich Colmer opened Brook’s scoring with a superb penalty effort from inside his own half and followed that up with a smart grubber kick through for winger Mike Randell to pounce on to get the visitors back to within two points at half-time.

A revitalised Millbrook crossed the line soon after the interval when man of the match Ratu Degei made a strong break and fed winger Aaron Race who sprinted in for a try.

Heathens applied some pressure through their driving forwards, but captain Randell undid their hard work when he intercepted inside his own 22 and sprinted the length of the field.

The home side kept themselves in the game with another try but Millbrook’s defence remained defiant and soon went on the attack, Mark Colmer completing the bonus point win with a try.

Randell said: “This was a good win for us, we battled hard and showed some fantastic defence in the closing quarter of the game.”