Trojans have been crowned Gales HSB Hampshire Bowl champions after a nailbiting final against neighbours and long-standing rivals Eastleigh.

The outcome of the clash at Stoneham Lane was in the balance throughout the captivating derby with the home side just hanging on to win.

And the enthralling match was hailed another shining example of county cup rugby following the Hampshire Cup final the week before. Around 500 spectators turned out to watch that game which ended with just one point between Winchester and Havant. A similar number were treated to a repeat performance as Bowl honours were decided by the same margin.

Eastleigh, who were looking for a double after winning promotion to London 2 South-West, had the lion’s share of possession in the first half but Trojans made their couple of chances count to turn around 14-8 ahead.

They went into the lead 23 minutes into the half with a break the length of the field. Under pressure in their own 22 they fed the ball across the backs to winger Jake Bailey who flew up the touchline, kicked over an oncoming tackle, picked up and dived over the line close the posts for a simple conversion.

Eastleigh's Phil Baldwin, who had missed an earlier penalty kick, then split the posts with his second effort to put his side on the scoreboard.

They went on to threaten their opponents' line a couple of times and finally breached the Trojans defence when Cam Steele got on the end of a great break from captain Paul Fudio.

With half time looming Eastleigh looked like turning around a point in front but Trojans replied immediately, with full back Joby Kochanowski forcing his way over the line for Chris Boyd to convert.

The home side went close to increasing their lead ten minutes into the second half as back row Gregg Ward got over the line but a last-ditch tackle from Matt Blackman forced the ball from his hand as he tried to touch down under the posts.

The sides continued to cancel each other out until Eastleigh got back into the reckoning as they strung a great move together off the back of a scrum. Fly half Baldwin dummied a pass before finding winger Jack Berry with a long ball and he dashed over in the corner.

The conversion would have put the visitors in front but it was missed - as was a far easier penalty attempt two minutes later.

With play back down the other end of the field and the referee signalling time, Trojans kicked to touch for their hard-earned 14-13 victory and celebrations began.

Trojans coach Ed Ravenhill said: “It is always tough against Eastleigh and they had the largest share of possession and territory but our boys just dug in deep.

“We just hit them on the counter in the first half and knew that was the type of game we can play – if we get it loose and fast we are a match for anyone.

“Hopefully the boys will take confidence from this and we can kick on. The second half of the season they have responded so well and worked so hard and to finish sixth, almost fifth, and winning the cup is magnificent.”

Disappointed Eastleigh coach Phil Osman said: “Eastleigh deserved it. We played very well in the first 25 minutes, half an hour, but didn’t capitalise and were a bit slopping. I don’t know if that is because we’ve had a couple of weeks off? We were not as accurate as we have been and Trojans lived off scraps in the first half but scored two tries off those scraps.”

He added: “I’m disappointed actually. I thought we did enough in the first half and were playing well but in the second half we just didn’t hold on to the ball, didn’t adapt; there were not enough leaders on the pitch.”