Trojans 17 Eastleigh 25 

A stern half-time dressing down helped Eastleigh battle back to beat town rivals Trojans on their own turf.

The Stoneham Lane hosts bossed most of the first 40 minutes with some good open play and built up a 17-0 lead over their London 3 South-West neighbours.

But Eastleigh, who dominated the set piece, especially scrums, managed to put five points on the board before the turn-around and then came out a different side to win 25-17.

Eastleigh coach Phil Osman said: “I think maybe we were a little complacent to begin with. Having had a very good win and performance last week I think maybe the boys were not putting enough pressure on themselves for what is always a tricky local derby.

“I think we were a little uncooked when we came here and Trojans played very well in that first half – one more score and I think we would have struggled to get back.

“So they got the proverbial rocket at half time and amazingly came out a different outfit. Our scrum dominated from the beginning but we were way too slow to the breakdown.”

A penalty from Trojans’ fly-half Toogi Long had put the home side on the scoreboard and a break soon after found Number 8 Chris Boyd, who darted over under the posts to make the conversion a formality.

Trojans fullback Jobi Kochanowski looked dangerous whenever he had the ball and a couple of his breaks through the Eastleigh defence were stopped just short of the line.

But another searing run from the fullback found support from centre Jonathan Smyth who touched down for Long to convert.

An Eastleigh five-metre scrum then came within inches of a score but when it was reset the pack still had the power to turn over their opponents with Hallum Bourton getting the ball to ground for a vital score before the break.

Eastleigh upped their game ended a 20-minute second-half stalemate when Jack Berry who was making his debut, set the platform for Pete Noonan to go over following a scrum in Trojans’ 22.

The conversion attempt hit the post but momentum was with the visitors and they got back to 17-17 apiece when Phil Baldwin went over and converted.

Eastleigh put themselves in the driving seat for the first time when skipper Paul Fudio crossed in the corner in the closing stages to bring up the bonus point and Baldwin put the game to bed when he followed up with a long-range penalty.

Eastleigh named Jack Berry as their man of the match.

MILLBROOK had a tough time at home to Farnham but that was little surprise to coach Mark Randall who tipped the Surrey side as likely league winners.
SW3 newcomers Brook lost out 43-13 but took several positives from only their second game at this level.

Randall said: “Although we were disappointed with the result the guys gave it their best shot against a very strong Farnham side – my pre-season tip to win this league.

“We know we can compete at this level and we know we have to work hard and tweak things defensively and make sure we are ready for Weybridge Vandals next Saturday at their place.

“I’m upbeat about it and we did some really good stuff but we’ll just have to wise up a bit to the level of rugby we are playing now. It’s not Hampshire 1 rugby anymore it’s London 3 rugby and there’s an increase in standards.

“When you come up against one of the better teams – as I said Farnham are my tip for the top this year – you have to use it as experience and learn from it.”

All Brook’s points came in the first half with captain Mike Randell making the most of an interception and Rich Colmer kicking a conversion and two penalties.