Farnham overcame a strong challenge from a spirited Trojans team at Wrecclesham on Saturday.

The home side won narrowly, but, realistically, the game could have swung Trojans' way had they enjoyed more of the rub of the green.

For the second week running, Farnham played poorly enough to keep the crowd on their toes, and just well enough to steal a win that keeps them joint top of the league (Richmond have a better goal difference)

At half-time, Farnham commanded a healthy 24-7 lead after good tries from Simon Lewis, Ian Holwill, Sid Cranstone and Rupert Mitchell, with Nigel Rooney kicking two conversions.

After the break, Trojans grabbed a score back to bring it to 24-14, before Farnham stretched their lead again with a try from Richard Doran.

This made it 29-14 with 20 minutes remaining.

Farnham again pressed forward to score through Matt Oakley (36-14), only for Trojans to hit back with two quick tries (via the same three-quarter move) and a penalty to bring them to 36-27 with a tense five minutes to play.

Scrappy play and scrums aplenty was the story of those final stages and Farnham were able to hold out for a less than convincing victory – their sixth league win in a row – to stay in touch with Richmond, the title favourites.

Farnham need to play a full 80 minutes of concentrated, aggressive rugby before their next big challenges – Barnes at home in the the NPI Cup (Nov 3) and Richmond away in the league (Nov 17).

Their commitment will be on trial in the league match at United Services, Portsmouth this Saturday.

Farnham would appear to have a feeling of invincibility once they go two tries up at home against teams who are not deemed potential league threats – a trait that both Barnes and Richmond would dispel quickly should it happen.

However, Farnham are still winning, regardless of the tight margins, and it is those points, not the ones gained when thrashing teams by 50 points, that will win this league.

Farnham: Cranstone, Christie, Mortimore, Baker (Debenham 4 mins), France, Oakley, Brown, Holwill, Evans, Rooney (Van Dongen 60 mins), Jarrett, Doran, Payne, Mitchell, Lewis.