Hampshire clubs lead the way in two highly-competitive leagues as another exciting season reaches the half-way point.

Tottonians head London 2 South-West with Winchester snapping at their heels, just two points behind, while Eastleigh and Andover are neck-and-neck one tier down at SW3.

But there is a long way to go and London Cornish will be aiming to overtake their rivals and London Exiles look far from finished in SW3.

Tottonians travel to another Hampshire club tomorrow, third-from-bottom Portsmouth, for their last league encounter of 2014, with the aim of staying top for the New Year.

Totts’ head coach Gavin Williams said: “It looks like it is between us, Winchester and Cornish.

“We just need to keep winning. We have Winchester at home on the last day of the season so don’t really want it to come down to that game.”

Winchester have slipped up just twice – Cornish beat them by a single point and Totts were tested before going on to win on the opening day of the season.”

A bumper crowd is expected at North Walls Park for tomorrow's home fixture against Tadley.

With their lights certified for match use, Winchester are kicking off at 3pm throughout the season.

And, after a solid away win last week, Winchester will be looking to do the double over their opponents who are struggling in their first season at this level.

But coach Andy Fields warned: “We are expecting a tough encounter against a proper rugby club who fight for their shirt.”

Veteran lock Campbell Ettinger may well get a recall as Winchester University student Matt Golding is unavailable, while Fields is expecting to keep faith with the rest of the squad that did well last week.

Eastleigh have been locked in battle for SW3’s top spot with Old Tiffinians for the first half of the season.

The top two met last month with Eastleigh coming out winners.

But Andover have taken up the chase and drew level on points last weekend when they beat the current leaders.

It is top versus bottom tomorrow as Eastleigh host Sandown & Shanklin while Andover head to Trojans.