Weybridge Vandals' hopes of a first away win of the season were washed away in the south coast rain on Saturday.

National League Two East side Havant’s second string ran out 35-8 winners as Storm Boelo brought monsoon conditions to Hooks Lane and a third defeat of the Regional Two South Central season for head coach George Pickersgill’s men.

A try from fit-again Robbie Dones - added to a Harry Weatherall penalty - had made it 14-8 at the halfway point, but Havant’s dominant forwards shut the door in the second half as their backs took advantage of Vandals mistakes late-on to add a flattering gloss to the score.

Holding back the flood: Vandals showed a lot of heart in repelling the Havant forwards, but were unable to trouble the scoreboard in the second half

In truth, Vandals, who played with the wind in the first half, deserved more from the contest as they gamely maintained parity against a team with plenty of National League experience in its ranks - particularly up front.

The Brownacres coaching team will be annoyed with the way Havant winger Ollie Broughton was able to open the scoring on 16 minutes, as he rounded off a first phase move from a central scrum well inside the hosts’ own half.

Skipper Weatherall, playing at fly-half, hit back with a penalty minutes later but Havant responded with a close-range try when Vandals somehow coughed up possession at a line out they had secured on their own line.

Returning hooker Robbie Dones scored from a neatly worked move at the front of a lineout five metres out to leave the scores finely poised at 14-8 at the break.

Despite Havant scoring first in the second half – through skipper Rory Penfold’s impressive burst through the middle – Vandals remained a threat with the ball in hand even as they struggled to get over the gain line.

And had they shown more composure at key times when close to the line, they might have secured more of a foothold on the scoreboard.

Centre Sam Bullett, playing alongside a combative Tom Bolger in the centres, did more than most to keep his side in the game with a number of trademark tackles and barrelling runs.

Meanwhile, back rower Brandon Thornley - again playing out of position in the second row with the returning Richie Crabb - admirably led the forward effort making a number of steals at the lineout and bone-crunching hits.

But ultimately Havant’s forward power prevailed and their backs made the game safe with two scores in the final 10 minutes as Vandals – still in the midst of an injury crisis – tired.

Grand surroundings: Vandals left empty handed from their first visit to Hampshire giants Havant RFC

Free-scoring league leaders Wimborne, who are racking up an average of 48 points per game thus far, are the visitors on Halloween.

They beat Camberley 83-0 on Saturday and a stretched Brownacres outfit, who conceded 64 points in defeat to Tottonians when last on home soil, will need to be at their best to avoid a similar horror show.

Welcome back: Hooker Robbie Dones sored Vandals' only try on his return from injury