THE CLASH in a fortnight's time between the league's top two has taken on even more significance for Trojans, following another incredible round of results in this division.

After second-placed Sandown & Shanklin dropped to a surprise 20-7 reverse at Fareham Heathens, the title could now be clinched by the Stoneham Lane side on their rivals territory if they can claim their 15th win of the season on March 12.

Trojans overcame their potentially difficult fixture with improving US Portsmouth, winning 32-17.

Services, without a number of their recently acquired Hungarian stars, who were all back in Budapest in preparation for their World Cup qualifier against Croatia next month, took advantage of some indifferent play from the hosts to claim an early lead.

Max Boyce kicked, chased and saw the ball bounce up nicely for him to go over but once Trojans got to their feet and saw Tim Zeale strike a penalty, they were always in control.

Prop JP Cooke dived over a maul to claim a try on his 200th appearance for the club before skipper Russell Clarke completed a well-worked move, created by fly-half Nigel LeBas, to add a second just before the interval.

Although Services' Matt Holzl reduced the arrears with a penalty, Tom Mackintosh stretched the home sides' advantage when he was on hand to pounce from the visitors' scrum.

A jinking run through the defence by James Pennington was quickly followed by Clarke's second five-pointer, a fine effort made by winger Ian Hudson's penetrating run up the left wing and the impressive support play by Cooke and the rest of the backs.

Replacement Alex Scott caught Trojans napping at a penalty when Holzl smashed a diagonal kick into open space from a penalty and the flanker had a easy job of claiming the score.

But that late score as Services tried to mount a late comeback in the final quarter, could not detract from the pleasure that coach Pete Surtees heaped upon his players at the final whistle.

"The boys played well," he said, "especially as I asked them to produce a performance that would instil some confidence in them, particularly the backs.

"That was the emphasis and they did as I asked by going back to the old way of Trojans play and throw the ball about.

"Now we can go to Sandown in two weeks time - and we are taking quite a few over for that game - knowing that the league will be ours if we win."

But Sandown & Shanklin captain Lee Priddle still aims to take this right to the wire and can assure the visitors a 'Hurricane' reception, despite the misery of defeat inflicted by Fareham Heathens.

While the try count was equal at one each, five Niall Allardice penalties punished Sandown's indiscipline in front of the posts to ease their relegation fears in this ultra-tight league.

However, they ensured a tricky period when leading 11-0 when the visitors pulled a try back through Alan Morey but the reliable boot did the damage and it moved Heathens up five places in the league, back to third.

But, just two points separate Heathens in third from Nomads, who slipped back into the relegation place after they crashed to a 20-16 defeat at home to Farnborough.

Millbrook kick-started their survival hopes with a satisfactory, if not overly-convincing, 15-3 win over Alresford while New Milton & District bounced back into the safety zone with a thumping 32-11 victory over Isle of Wight.