Farnham plucked defeat from the jaws of victory on Saturday as a spirited Trojans side avenged a narrow defeat earlier in the season.

This was another example of Farnham being unwilling, but in no way unable, to turn the screw and do what the top three teams in the league manage – score tries.

On a large pitch at Southampton, the game was set to be an open, running affair.

Farnham opened the scoring, only for Trojans to draw level almost immediately.

Later in the half, prop Andy Mortimore finished a superb attacking move, led by Farnham's back-row pair of Richard Turnbull and Ian Holwill, although many hands touched the ball. Mortimore scored on the wing after outpacing the Trojans back row, and outbeefing the winger.

It was 10-5 to the visitors at half-time.

The open play continued, with the Farnham backs demonstrating an array of skills on the wide pitch. The play was confident and the hands were slick, but Farnham lacked the big hitters in the centre to break the gain line.

There were times, particularly inside their own 22, when Farnham should have cleared the ball to touch, but the ball was usually recovered.

The long and the short of it was that, with two minutes of injury time played and Farnham ahead 17-15 and no doubt waiting for the whistle to blow, the game was handed to Trojans on a plate.

A maul formed on the Farnham 10-metre line and the ball was swung to the outside-half after good ground had been made by the forwards. Adam Christie, blind-side flanker, then took a crash ball, but the ball was spilled in the contact. Of all people, Trojans fly-half Nigel LeBas picked up and, despite a valiant effort from a fatigued Jim Hill to make the tackle, the try was scored and the home team stole the match, 20-17.

Farnham showed well in the back division, which was mobile and adventurous. Perhaps a little bit of guidance is needed from an older head to keep an element of order, although the potential is there.