BERKSHIRE Shire Hall secured back-to-back BB&O Championship victories as they overcame home side Farnham Royal 27-18 on Saturday.

It was the visitors who had the better of an engaging opening quarter, moving 12-0 in front courtesy of a breakaway try from 60 metres and a quick snipe from close range from a tap penalty.

Farnham Royal hit back, however, and cut the deficit to five points following a spell of sustained territorial and possession dominance.

Shire Hall were forced to concede a string of penalties for off-side near their own try line, and eventually the referee's patience ran thin. A penalty try was awarded.

Yet the Sonning Lane-based side regathered themselves impressively, and using their powerful pack, they scored a third try from a rolling maul off the back of a line-out.

Royal were to have the final word of an engrossing first half, though, skipper Ben Coppins sniping over from close range from the bottom of a ruck to leave his side trailing 17-12 at the interval.

The home team continued their resurgence by having the better of the third quarter, and they moved in front with 18 minutes remaining thanks to two Alex King penalties.

But it was the resolute Shire Hall who again responded, sealing their bonus-point try five minutes later as they moved 22-18 in front before King missed an attempt at goal to cut the deficit to a solitary point.

This proved costly and it was the away side who had the final word, a fifth try securing a hard-earned victory.

Berkshire Shire Hall remain sixth in the table and will hope to secure a third straight victory at home to Harwell on Saturday.