A SECOND-HALF surge ensured Trojans' Hampshire Division 1 challenge got off to the perfect start as they broke down stubborn Sandown & Shanklin.

Restricted to just one first-half Tim Zeale penalty as the Islanders frustrated the hosts by stretching the off-side rule to its limit, Trojans took a while to settle.

But a timely half-time team talk and a change in game plan produced the goods and they ran out comfortable 33-3 winners.

Coach Pete Surtees was satisfied enough with the five-try showing

"It was a good enough start once we got used to Sandown's tactics," he said. "We played some good rugby."

New signings Ben Boyce and Kurt Wilson both got on the scoresheet while replacement James Pennington and forwards Matt Knight and Joe Newsome also crossed in the free-flowing second half.

What especially pleased the coach was his side's discipline when things were not going their way in a difficult first half.

"That was something we have talked about a lot," he said, "and it was good to see that they had listened. I was very encouraged by the discipline side and by the way we played in the second half - the way we opened the game up after been restricted in the first."

The two promoted sides were given a stern introduction to life in the division as they were well beaten in opening skirmishes.

Constantly improving Fareham Heathens showed little compassion towards Alresford in their first ever game in Hampshire One, thumping them 48-7 to take the early table-topping honours.

Matt Southey's side tore into the mid-Hampshire men, with winger Anthony Reynolds helping himself to a hat-trick of tries and, although the visitors worked hard to impress on their debut, Heathens were always a step ahead.

With eight well-constructed tries, Southey was delighted to get the season off to a stormer. "What a fantastic start," he commented. "There are still areas to work on. I spotted a couple of frailties that concerned me a little - but other than that it was superb."

Alresford grabbed a consolation late on through Bill Witchard.

Fellow promotees Nomads were caught by a Millbrook side determined not to suffer the same anxieties as last season over relegation and, given their 34-12 five-try performance in Portsmouth, they have gone a long way to resting those.

In stiff, blustery winds, the visitors scored two pushover Mike Mulcahy tries and were awarded a penalty try to lead 19-7 at the break and added a further brace after the interval in a confident performance over a decent Nomads side.

Second row debutante Jason Ward excelled as the forwards dominated and team manager Alan Day felt his side were fully deserving of their opening day success. "We defended well in midfield," he pointed out.

"Nomads were always living on the edge but, with our players playing well and putting in a strong all-round performance, we deserved the win."

New Milton & District have put a spanner into the works of US Portsmouth's ambitions of an instant return to the London Leagues, turning them over 24-13 in the New Forest.

Having held much of the first half territory, they could have rued throwing away three good chances. But they took three more through front rowers James Mallett and Gary Brooks and back row Jamie Ramsey.

Services bounced back strongly in the second half but the introduction of fresh legs allowed Milton to hold on and record a famous victory, considering they were stronger in the forwards and especially in the set plays than their visitors.

Last season's fourth-placed finishers Isle of Wight were brought down to earth by unpredictable Farnborough, crushed 37-5 in the north of the county.