Worthing turned the tables on rivals Portsmouth to remain favourites for promotion from Two South.

A week after losing in Hampshire, Worthing ground out a 25-22 win although they were given a helping hand by one of their former players.

Portsmouth had come from 22-7 down at half-time to cut the deficit to three points and former Worthing fly-half Stuart McLaughlan had a chance to equalise in the last minute, but his penalty from in front of the posts sailed wide.

Portsmouth were their own worst enemies, losing three players to the sin bin which forced them to play for 30 minutes with only 14 men.

Not that Worthing will be concerned. Four key players who had been absent a week earlier returned and all made an impact during a first-half dominated by the hosts.

Terry Butler and Simon Swadling both added to Jody Levett's early try while outside half Ben Coulson kicked two conversions and a penalty. Worthing should have increased their lead early in the second half before allowing Portsmouth to get back into the contest.

South African centre Matthew Gronow added to his first half try with another score while Neil Styles also crossed with McLaughlan adding a conversion and penalty.

Coulson's drop goal kept Worthing in front but they lost skipper Mike Imrie to the sin bin and were hanging on when McLaughlan's accuracy let him down.

Brighton thrashed bottom of the table Betteshanger 44-7 in London Three South East while their three Sussex rivals were all left kicking their heels.

The matches involving Eastbourne, Lewes and East Grinstead were all postponed, but conditions at Waterhall were good and Brighton took advantage to run in six tries.

Skipper Mark Jenkins said: "There were no outstanding individuals, it was just a good, strong team performance although we should have scored more points.

"There were no injuries and we're looking forward to going to Charlton Park on Saturday."

Danie Venter (two), Andy Pinnock, Vic Jones, Andy Light and Adrian Murray were Brighton's scorers while Mark Gibb had a good afternoon with the boot, adding four conversions and two penalties.

Hooker Ross Wallington made a scoring return to the Hove ranks as his side overturned a half-time deficit to beat Bromley 26-13 in London Four South East.

Wallington scored one of three tries for the hosts who trailed 13-5 before coming on strong in the second-half.

James Finlason (2) and Austin Jones also crossed while Martin Lovell added two penalties.

Skipper Richard Jackson said: "It was good performance. Apart from the kick-off after they had scored a breakaway try we spent the second-half in their 22, it was constant pressure."

Jackson believes his side are capable of finishing the season strongly, starting with Saturday's trip to Crawley.

"The consistency of performance is starting to come and we should start putting some results together."

Bromley's fall was good news for Chichester who are now two points clear at the top after a 28-6 win over Heathfield.

Chi's tries came from Jack Smallman, Simon Bradford, Ben Polhill and Tom Polhill while Nick Stanton added two penalties and a conversion.

Crawley won 24-5 at Guy's Hospital but Bognor's home game with Beccehamian was postponed.