For the past 5 years Trojans ran scared from giving Saints a fixture (the fear of being beaten). Their fear was well placed; in the last two years we have played them three times.
1st In the Hampshire cup, when they were a league above, we stuffed them 28 - 0 at their home ground
2nd we played them at the begining of this season in the league and thrashed them back at test park
NOW! just to show that how things have changed (all credit to the team) Southampton were relagated Trojans from this division with a 35-9 win, again in their back yard.
Trojans have been despatched to life in Hampshire League 1 by bitter rivals Southampton with defeat in their own back yard - unless they can perform a minor miracle.
They did, however, have some good spells of play but to go into the half-time break, having had the considerable assistance of a stiff wind at their backs, with just a single point lead was never going to be enough against the tactically astute Saints.
James Pennington had kicked two penalties to put the home side ahead and a third just before no-side but inbetween Southampton were making the telling breaks, one of which, through Chris Milne saw Alex Scott on the end of an overlap to score his first of two tries.
The visitors even took the lead when Dave Griffiths kicked an easy penalty as they dominated in the loose and anything Trojans threw at them was repelled with ease.
Griffiths kicked a second just after the interval to re-engage the advantage, which, on reflection, they were never likely to relinquish as T's had little to offer. Experienced winger Andy Milton, their one great hope, was cancelled out by the equally trusty Scott.
That said, it was the forwards and the mobility of the Southampton front three that added an extra dimension to their game, especially Marcus Coffin, who popped up everywhere to carry the ball forward and provide a platform for the backs to progress.
Skipper Tony Cador, who controlled the game from blindside flanker without the regular earache treatment to the referee, bounded over for a soft score, which Griffiths converted for 9-18. The veteran fly-half made no mistake with a third penalty either shortly afterwards.
Martyn Sheridan also crossed for a simple score in the last ten minutes, as did Scott, who shrugged off a series of tackles add more misery upon the beleaguered home side.
Trojans assistant coach Pete Surtees admitted that his side, crucified by injuries, had given this game their best shot.
"But we did not use our options correctly in the first half. Had we got a good 20-point lead with the wind, we would have gone on to win the game.
"With Southampton's forwards being very apt at killing the ball, we did not adapt to it. All in all, we did not play with the confidence those players know they have."
Saints skipper Tony Cador was a relieved man, if only to get his sides first away win of the season.
"It has been a very good day. We knew that they would throw everything at us in the first half. All we had to do was stay patient and wait for the scores to come," he said.
"With our forwards playing exceptionally well, it provided the platform for the backs to move.
"To win at Trojans is a great boost for Southampton and it moves us up a place in the league."