Fawley 29 - 40 Southampton

The league leaders didn't have it all their own way as they faced off against fourth-placed Fawley, as it was the home side that started brightest. An early break from long distance was halted just short of the Saints' line through a combination of Ryan Morrell and Jordan Dashwood, but Fawley repeated the feat soon after breaking through the middle from their own ten metre line and touched down under the posts for an early seven point lead.

Saints equalised soon after when Josh Fearon crashed through the middle of the defence to add to his rising try count. The Saints forwards then showed their dominance at the scrum to earn the visitors a penalty ten metres out. Alex Hill in particular enjoyed his moment of redemption as the same ref had penalised him for not driving straight a few matches ago, but he had to acknowledge the Saint's prop's power was too much for his opposite man (is that what you asked me to say Alex?) Given their dominance it came as no surprise when stand-in skipper Gus Nye called for the scrum and the Saints' pack delivered again, driving Fawley over their own line for number eight Jordan Dashwood to touch down.

Josh Fearon then grabbed his second after some good link up play, with Hill again featuring in the build up. From a difficult start, Saints took a 7-19 lead into half time after Ryan Morrell added the conversion.

Fawley opened the scoring in the second half to make the score 12-19 before Saints secured the bonus point though Aaron Owen. The forwards and backs combined nicely and Owen crossed from five metres. Jordan Dashwood then grabbed his second try of the match before another break from the Fawley backs put their left winger in for his third try of the game. All the excitement was too much for Saints' Steve Judd who put a late hit on the try scorer, earning himself a yellow card, ten minutes on the naughty step and the Dick of the Day award. The score was now 17-33.

Kev Simmons powered his way over the line for Saints' sixth try, but Fawley refused to give up and added two more tries of their own making the final score 29-40. It wasn't the best Saints performance of the year but the bonus point win now takes them to within one win of securing the title, with two games remaining. Saints can seal the title with a win next weekend at Andover IIIs.