Update:
Again have just over 6hrs use (25% bat left) could push to maybe 6h30m to 7hrs but i prefer to recharge when at 25% don't won't to run it flat.
still working on the workaround - but I think what has been increasing bat life is being able to put in airplane mode but to toggle on wifi - a widget called 'free power widget' does that ok, but tying to find a better one.