Just one point separated Trojans and London 3 South-West visitors Old Cranleighans at the start of their match.

And the opening stages of the tightly-contested clash reflected the closeness, before Cranleighans crossed the line twice for a 12-0 lead at half time.

Trojans were handed a numerical advantage when the visitors had two players sidelined with yellow cards for deliberate knock-ons.

They made the superior numbers count and mauled their way over the line, second row Josh Bowker touching down and Toogi Long converting.

The hosts were weakened when Sam Semple was sidelined for ten minutes for a late tackle and scrum half Neal Haworth, playing his 100th first XV game for the club, had to go off injured.

That allowed OC to take control, scoring a try and a goal in quick succession.

Battling Trojans hit back with a try for prop Mark Greenhalgh but lost 24-12.

New Milton travelled to Warlingham with just 15 players and kept themselves in contention until the hard work took its toll in the final quarter.

Milton were only five points adrift at the break, thanks to a Will Machin try, and went over again in the second half when Ben Russell touched down.

Three late tries from the home side put New Milton 40-10 behind but the bare XV – jointly named ‘men of the match’ - fought on in search of a bonus point that never came.

Basingstoke, who have not picked up a single point so far this season, lost heavily again – 72-3 at home to Battersea Ironsides.