THREE TRIES in the opening five minutes a free flowing Old Reigatian side ended Trojans' ambitions of returning to London Division Four South-West at the first attempt.

The pace of the Surrey sides' back line was too much for the hosts as they won the league play-off 46-14, creating chance after chance that they took with aplomb.

No matter how much work Trojans had done on defence in midweek, it proved worthless as Reigatian weaved patterns that cut the home side to shreds in a performance that had the travelling support purring that they had not seen their team play so well.

That was little consolation to Russell Clarke's charges, who had their own chances to claw their way back into the contest but it was a forlorn hope after they trailed 21-0 before they had even had an opportunity to get a foothold into the game.

A well-worked try from number eight Ollie Joisce allowed some breathing space and, had Trojans clasped all the opportunities presented in the first half, the interval scoreline could have been narrower.

Tim Zeale added a second try and converted both but there was no complaints from coach Pete Surtees, who conceded that Trojans had been beaten by the much better side.

"Everything went for them," he added. "The catches stuck, even those just inches from the floor, and their movement around the park was outstanding. They outplayed us and proved they were an excellent side that deserved to go up.

"No one in our camp was overly disappointed though, I guess because we knew we had lost to a superb team whose combinations in midfield were excellent and were all round a well-drilled outfit.

"I would fancy them as promotion favourites for next season in London Four South-West if they play like that on most weeks," Surtees added.

It means that Hampshire Division One will still contain Trojans, but they should be instilled as favourites already for the automatic promotion place next term.

There was better news yesterday for the Stoneham Lane club, however, as the ladies side booked their place in the National Challenge Shield Final, overcoming Redruth in the southern section showdown 14-5 at Swindon-based Supermarine.

Trailing by five points going into the final quarter, a Mandy Baverstock break allowed pacy Danni Thompson to sprint 70 metres to the line, and a penalty try late on when the same player was heading for a score saw them through.

Sally Greenway kicked two conversions that will see them travel to the Midlands in a month's time, where they will meet either Loughborough University or Colne and Nelson in the prestigious final.