Trojans leave it late to beat US Portsmouth

A try from the outstanding Academy student Gary Fitzgerald with the last move of the game overturned the two-point deficit that had looked to be sending them to their first defeat of the season.

With five minutes to go, the visitors led 11-6 and looked to be holding out but a mix-up in midfield allowed the home side to kick ahead, chase down and score under the posts to gain their first lead of the afternoon.

This followed Trojans leading 3-0 at the interval through a Tim Zeale, pictured left, penalty. When replacement JP Cooke scored a try five minutes into the second half Trojans were looking good.

Another Zeale penalty followed two from the hosts before the last five minute drama and Fitzgerald's try.

"We never looked like losing the game," admitted Surtees, "even in that last five minutes when we were losing.

Just three teams remain unbeaten after the first two rounds of games, with Trojans second behind Farnborough who did not have it all their own way against winless Nomads, holding out to win 24-14.

The other is Millbrook, who held off a concerted late charge from Alresford to pick up their second win of the season 19-17.

Two late tries from the promoted side made Dean Weaver's outfit sweat a little after they had been well in charge as Jason Ward continued his impressive start by adding another try to his tally while Dominic Sales and Mike Goodridge posted the other tries.

Both Fareham Heathens and New Milton & District were not the cheeriest of shipmates on their return journeys across the Solent as they were both beaten on the Island by Sandown & Shanklin and Isle of Wight respectively.

Heathens' defeat at The Fairway was the more surprising of the two but coach Matt Southey admitted missing key players like Anthony Reynolds and James Nicholson did cost them dearly as they went down 15-5.

New Milton's poor record on the Island continues as they returned 18-6 losers.