A LAST-DITCH Denville Elleston try maintained Hampshire's vice-like grip on the Wightlink Bowl as they twice came from behind to steal victory 36-33 over the Navy.

It was a fine game which wiped away the pretext of friendly rugby.

With both sides looking towards their respective Championship matches on May 4 - the Navy with a winner-takes-all clash once more with the Army, Hampshire travelling to Leicestershire - it made for an exciting encounter with plenty to play for.

Hampshire cruised into a 10-0 lead within six minutes as England under-18 starlet Neil McGovern found himself in space on an overlap to post his first try for the county, while Elleston broke tackles to cut through for the second.

James Williams's weaving run set up Matt Parker for a quick reply for the hosts to cut the arrears to three, before Dave Pascoe, who kicked the conversion of Parker's try, swapped penalties with Phil Osman.

Winchester skipper Joe Hocking was bundled over for a try to re-engage an eight-point cushion, which was temporarily sliced by a second Pascoe penalty. However, McGovern grabbed his second on half-time when a fine passing move released the 18-year-old winger.

The Navy hit back to cut their 23-13 interval deficit with a second try from Parker, but a Phil Osman try kept them at arms length after McGovern's good work.

As Hampshire visibly tired, the Navy picked up and took the lead for the first time with 13 minutes left after Jamie Phillips benefited from a poor clearance box kick in defence and, when replacement Andy Crompton scythed through, Hampshire were struggling.

Osman and Pascoe again exchanged penalties; the latter's already two minutes into injury time. But Elleston had the final say, despite struggling with a calf strain, as Hampshire mounted a superb attack with interlinking passes to release the Havant winger for the match-clinching score.

Victory may have come at a costly price, with Tim Osman dislocating his shoulder after just four minutes and skipper Rolf Stratford suffering a nasty cut to the nose. Havant prop Steve Jack also limped off midway through the half.

After receiving the Bowl from HRH Princess Royal's husband, Naval Captain Timothy Laurence, coach Simon Morgan revealed his side had plenty to work on. "We should have been well clear after 20 minutes," he said. "Our first-up tackling was not that good and our line-out did not function well. These are things we need to address at training next Sunday."

Hampshire: N Osman, McGovern (Law), R Osman, T Osman (Rowledge), Elleston, P Osman, Jones; Jack (Mort), Hocking (Tart), Mort (Asuncion), Forster (Collins), Ramus, Wilding (Short), Treacey, Stratford capt (Wilding - blood).