Old Emanuel were unbeaten at home in their four league games this term and confident of recording a fifth when basement boys Trojans rolled into town - but Richard Cheal's side had other ideas and pulled out the performance of the season to down them 39-22.

It was a rip-roaring show in the second half when they scored 27 unanswered points, ex-Gosport & Fare-ham winger Andy Milton exercising all his experience with a hat-trick, that lifted Trojans all the way up to seventh in the table.

Cheal felt it was the introduction of Martin Pearson as pack leader that was a huge difference from bef-ore. He said: "Ollie Joicse is a superb captain of the side but Martin cajoled, shouted and drove the forwards forward, giving us some leadership there as well."

Having not lost since February this year on their own patch, their league representative stated it was "the worst display from an Old Emanuel side that I have ever seen." But the Trojans coach felt that was unfair.

"We could have beaten anyone on Saturday," he surmised. "They could not get over our line until deep into injury-time at the end, while we hit them with 27 points in a row.

"I have always said we are not a bad side - we were just a poor team until this game, when it all came together and showed we are more than capable in this division."

James Pennington added 14 points with the boot, while Joicse and prop Richard Gilbertson were also on the scoresheet.

This result pushed Southampton further into trouble as their wretched away form counted against them again as they were comprehensively crushed 36-5 at Purley John Fisher.

But one man who is not concerned at the moment is skipper Tony Cador.

Despite the scoreline, he was convinced his side had not played badly, and praised them for the defensive qualities, especially the returning old boy Dave Ward on his debut, who had a very good game.

"I just don't know," he sighed. "For some reason, whenever we play in London, it seems to be a completely different game.

"Whether it's the difference in referees or the different style of the Surrey clubs, I'm not sure.

"The injuries, and he getting sin-binned for backchat, did not help either.

"I can't wait to get back home next week, as we play our best rugby there!"

Mike O'Leary grabbed the sole try for the Saints.

There was better news for Andover, who recorded a second win of the season by re-enacting a result from last season - a victory over Cobham - by 16-14 in a tense encounter.

Chris Reilly and Lester Culley, who saw the gap on a double-dummy move and sliced through it, gave Andover a massive boost, especially with Wimbledon losing to Effingham & Leatherhead to go second-bottom.

Coach Keith Mitchell said: "In my opinion, it was nev-er in doubt. But the big difference was everyone was there and training worked perfectly on Thursday.

"It makes a huge difference, that, and it toned the concentration up.

"What was really pleasing was to see smiles back on faces, as they had worked hard for their victory."

Mick Cockings slotted two crucial penalties for the Goodship Ground men.

A scrappy match which saw two players sent off and two sin-binned went the way of Alton, who have jumped up into mid-table after beating Chobham in a poor game 24-3 in London Division 3 South-West.

There was always a niggle between the sides in the descending gloom, which was never more shown by Tony Watson striking four penalties and a conversion to Sam Law's injury-time try.

Their match next week might be more of a tester - away to 60-match un-beaten run side Richmond!