Slow start and sloppy defending costs Fareham Heathens
The player-coach was encouraged, however, by an improved second-half performance.
He said: ‘We started slowly and quickly conceded a converted try after some missed tackles.
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Hide Ad‘It wasn’t long though until our new centre pairing of Kris Owens and Ted Mata started to find their feet.
‘They made good ground going forward against a well-organised New Milton defence.
‘We scored a try but sloppy defending allowed New Milton to score twice before the break.
‘At half-time we spoke about the want and desire to perform along with the need to tackle hard.
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Hide Ad‘We were much improved in the second half with our forwards dominating the scrums and line-outs.’
The home side began to steal the New Milton line-out ball.
Second row forward James Whitfield produced some effective ball carrying and the rejuvenated Heathens pack were boosted by a 40 metre driving maul.
Wheaton added: ‘It was our poor tackling in the first half that cost us.
‘That is so frustrating when after an honest half-time discussion the team turned things around.
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Hide Ad‘We just lack the belief and confidence at times and that has been a recurring theme all season.
‘With two more league games and a Hampshire Plate final left to play we know what we have to focus on.
‘It is important to us that we finish the season well.’
Gosport & Fareham slid closer to London two south west relegation with a heavy 50-3 home defeat against Old Tonbridgians.
The Blue and Golds are seven points adrift of safety with just two games left to play.
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Hide AdDane Smallbone kicked a first half penalty for the hosts only points of the game.
In London three south west United Services Portsmouth suffered a fourth successive reverse.
Services endured a 53-7 defeat at Old Georgians.
Petersfield kept their slim survival hopes alive with a 33-25 win against bottom club Teddington at Penns Place.
Locks Heath Pumas were awarded a home walk over against Andover II in Hampshire one.