The hosts from Hampshire ran out of front row forward replacements after suffering physically meaning uncontested scrums were deployed in the second half.

It was this ruling that allowed the home side some extra possession and enabled them to run in two late tries to deliver a respectable 39-26 against the early season table-toppers.

Had the game remained with a full contact scrum Oundle would surely have won more comfortably. The main damage was done by the starting front row of Morley Snelling and the mighty impressive Matt Collins. The dominance at set piece was then applied by Trinder Burrows and George Patten.

It was Snelling who opened the scoring early on, but Havant replied with a try of their own before Snelling quickly grabbed his second.

Havant pulled a score back again, but Anthony Maka put Oundle back ahead before grabbing another on the stroke of half time to give the visitors a 22-14 lead at the break.

Oundle turned round to play into the stiff breeze and knew there would be a battle to defend Havant’s attack, but a beautiful interception from scrum half Fin Ogden allowed him to run in from 40 metres.

Havant again pulled a try back, but flying winger Rian Hamilton scored in the corner to give his side some breathing space.

On 70 minutes and with the game over, Havant scored again, but not to be outdone replacement prop Liam Burrows drove over the line with virtually the final play. Three wins from three and more improvement still to come for Oundle who host Canterbury at Occupation Road next Saturday (September 26, 2pm) while the second team are also in home league action against Daventry.

Peterborough RUFC, Peterborough Lions and Stamford are among the other local clubs who also start their league campaigns next Saturday.