Services fall to defeat as Trojans win '˜arm wrestle'

Services director of rugby Matt Davis was disappointed with the manner of the defeat.

He said: ‘Having got ourselves into such a big lead in the opening half hour I expected us to win it.

‘We opened up playing a fast, expansive game and it couldn’t have worked any better.

‘Trojans are a big heavy side and were were moving them all around the park.

‘Even after they hit back with two tries before the break I thought if we scored another it would finish them off.

‘However, we allowed ourselves to be dragged into an arm wrestle in the second half and we were never going to win that.

‘We tried to compete but lost our structure and what we did so well in the first half fell to pieces.

‘Trojans had a game plan and they took to it well, denying us any quick ball in the second half.

‘They kept punching around the fringes and that meant we couldn’t make any great yardage.,

Services raced into a 25-0 lead with three tries from Luke Peters, Nathan Bond and Tom Knight.

Cam Guthrie added a penalty and two conversions.

Trojans hit back with two tries before the break and overhauled their visitors with three more tries and two penalties in the second half.

All Services could manage in the second period was a solitary Guthrie penalty.

Services have a chance to exact quick revenge because the two teams meet again in London Three South West.

‘We have to learn from our experience this week,’ said Davis.

‘Both teams now know how each other play so it should be an interesting battle.’

In Hampshire one, Fareham Heathens, without a game, found themselves toppled from their position as leaders.

Wins for Bognor and Millbrook saw them leapfrog Heathens who face their closest title rivals in their final two games of the season.

Bognor won 36-18 at Locks Heath Pumas.