Southampton 8 - 17 Jersey United Banks

After securing the Hampshire 2 title on Saturday at Stoneham, Southampton might have expected a few celebratory beers on Saturday night.

But instead they found themselves having an early night before playing their second game of the weekend against Jersey United Banks on Sunday - the second time this year the lads have played two games in a weekend.

The game was tight throughout, with Southampton taking an early lead with a penalty from Ryan Keary. They extended the lead to 8-0 when Doug Barrow crashed through from inside centre and produced a quality offload for Mark Waterer to score.

A missed penalty from Jersey kept them scoreless, before they hit back with a try from their left winger. They added another in controversial manner when a quick tap penalty opened up the defence - even though Southampton were in the middle of making a replacement.

With an 8-17 deficit with ten minutes to go Southampton spent the final minutes camped on the JUB line, with the forwards taking the ball to within 5 yards.

Jersey found themselves defending for their lives and were forced to bring the maul down on a number of occassion - at least seven infringements in the 'red zone' but still the ref felt no need to award a penalty try or sin bin a defender.

Even the near decapitation of Mark Waterer by a high tackle as he was about to ground the ball in the corner was not deemed sufficient for anything more than another penalty. We understand he also broke his collarbone in the fall - best wishes Mark, get well soon.

Jersey held on for the win, in a game that was fiercely competed throughout and might have gone the other way had the ref had a more traditional view of red zone infringements!

Credit to Jersey though, who themselves had to overcome an early start and long journey to earn their win.