Fordingbridge brushed aside the disappointment of their recent form to wallop London League opponents Trojans.

Bridge moved into the semi-finals of the Gales HSB Hampshire Bowl with an emphatic 60-5 victory on their Recreation Ground pitch.

The result went some way to make up for the four league defeats which has put them down the pecking order in this year’s race to be promoted out of Snows Group Hampshire 1.

Trojans, coached by former Fordingbridge captain Dean Lewis, will now have to concentrate on the league to try and avoid dropping out of London SW3 – which would mean relegation for the third season on the bounce.

Fordingbridge dominated all aspects of the cup game and the result was already out of the visitors’ reach by half-time following two converted tries by Josh Merry, one by Dan Brown and one from Ed Douglas. With a penalty from Mat Norton the half finished at 29-0 to the home side.

Determined not to let the lead slip and to become complacent, Fordingbridge pressed ahead in the second half with the same determination and style they had shown in the first.

In the 49th minute the ’Bridge fly half Steve Brown opened the scoring which again was converted by Norton. Shortly afterwards two tries from Mat Norton, one from Chris Gogin and one from captain James Greenwood brought the final score to 60-5.

Trojans battled to the end but were really outclassed by a Fordingbridge side who were playing with flair, speed and creativity.

Bridge captain James Greenwood said: “It was a great home win against a tough side, but with all to play for in the league we must maintain our concentration and effort.”

Fordingbridge’s man of the match was Jake Kostelyk – the former colt making his return to first XV rugby.

Fordingbridge face Andover in the next round of the Bowl in January.