A crucial try for stand-in captain Alistair Ramus on half-time and two penalties through Paul Goodall was enough to see Tottonians take over the London Division 4 South-West leadership for the first time this season - and that's where they want to stay.

It was a workmanlike performance from Bob Millard's team who did not trail in an epic encounter with Farnham, but the 11-7 victory was never confirmed until the final whistle.

Goodall's first penalty broke the long-standing deadlock before Ramus went over deep into first half injury-time, after a steal from a line-out close to the Farnham line was coupled with a series of phases.

Farnham did strike back with a converted try, but the relief was evident when Goodall's second extended the lead back to four points. And, despite some pressure, Totts held out to for another seven minutes of injury time to claim the victory.

"We are obviously delighted," said Ramus. "We did the job we set out to do, although it was touch and go for a long time. But the victory was well deserved and the boys dug deep to get it, especially Simon Dine on his debut at hooker, who was outstanding.

"Now we have set a precedence for ourselves, so we must keep it going," said Ramus of the side who have failed to lose in any game this season.

Southampton came from a three-point interval deficit to pull off a surprise 17-10 victory over London Irish Amateur, who slip to fourth behind Petersfield on the back of this result.

A brace from veteran winger Alex Scott and one for prop Marcus Coffin was enough to seal the Saints' second win of the campaign, although they do not move from eighth in the table.

But that did not matter to fly-half Dave Griffiths.

The forwards were the main perpetrators of this impressive victory, while the backs defended well and took their chances when they came.

"For whatever reason, we played close to our full potential and achieved this win," Griffiths said. "The game was played at quite a pace and everyone played their part.

"This result was very good for us, but the performance and attitude was more encouraging, showing that we can compete with anyone in this league when we put our minds to it."

Trojans are also off and running in Four South-West but their 23-20 scoreline over winless Cranleigh could have been more convincing but for the odd strange decision.

Andy Milton and Nils Bernhardt went over for the Stoneham Lane side to close out the Surrey side, although they did pull themselves back close having trailed just 13-10 at half-time and by the same margin at the end.

"The score defies the game," said a much happier coach Richard Cheal. "It does not really reflect the way we played, but there were a lot of happy faces in the club after this win, which can only be a good thing.

"They showed me that they can play with passion and it is good to get the win ahead of the match against the best side in the league next week, Tottonians."

Petersfield continue to surprise the division with a 30-8 thumping of US Portsmouth and a third place berth behind the leaders Totts and Farnham.