Celebrations are already underway at Eastleigh RFC after the club secured second spot in London 3 South-West along with well deserved promotion.

The side’s 31-0 weekend win at Basingstoke, and the defeat of chasing Old Cranleighians by leaders Farnham, pretty much finalised the places at the top of the table.

It means Eastleigh will start next season in SW2 after knocking on the door several times.

Captain Paul Fudio said: “It’s great news for the club. We have been searching for promotion for a while.

"We have had some tough times in SW3 but have always had promotion in sight. It’s a great way to achieve it with just two losses for the season so far and to have a 31-0 shut-out of Basingstoke was great.”

Adam Gallagher gave Eastleigh a perfect start, picking a perfect line to race over.

Eastleigh’s continual pressure proved too much for the home side and quick hands down the right saw Jack Berry touch down and the visitors take a 12-0 advantage into the break.

Strong winds made playing conditions harder but Eastleigh soon adapted and continued to pressure Basingstoke who went further behind when James Boyce got over the whitewash.

The bonus point soon followed – great carries from captain Paul Fudio and Will Todd creating space for scrum half Sean Hayes to score the fourth try.

And enough time was left for Boyce to score his second of the day after he intercepted and ran unopposed over the line. Phil Baldwin kicked his third conversion.

There could be more celebrations to follow as Eastleigh now turn their attention to a cup and promotion double.

They face neighbours and fierce rivals Trojans in the final of the Gales HSB Hampshire Bowl at Stoneham Lane on April 22.

“It will be spot on if we win that,” added Fudio, who was named Eastleigh’s man of the match. “Whatever, I couldn’t ask for anything more from the side, they have been absolutely outstanding.”

However Trojans are also heading for the cup final with a great run of form – they beat lowly Bognor to chalk up their sixth league win on the bounce.

Seven tries, including a couple of hat-tricks, helped them to a 47-20 victory at West Sussex.

Wing Tom Stevenson ran in his three tries in the opening 40 minutes, Charlie Pooley also went over and, with two Chris Boyd conversions, Trojans were 24-3 up at the interval.

Fullback Joby Kochanowski increased Trojans’ advantage early in the second half before the home side rallied with a couple of deserved tries. But the Hampshire club did not take long to get back into their stride and Kochanowski dotted down another two times for his hat-trick before Bognor forwards pushed over to finish the scoring.

Millbrook trailed Teddington 31-6 at half time in their game at Five Acres but deserved the point they battled so hard for, eventually losing out 38-35.

Mark Colmer added to his two first half penalties with a try and two conversions and tries came from captain Mike Randell (2) and Ratu Degei and Mike Trench.