Saints v Farnborough

When Saints last played Farnborough, they did so with a makeshift back line and failed to score in a disappointing 5-3 defeat. Saturday's team saw Paul Brant move to the flank allowing Dave Wood to come in at scrum half, whilst Aaron Nelson partnered Pierre at centre. John Sharpe came in at right wing with Alex Scott on the left, and it was Alex who opened the scoring for Saints as he broke through a number of tackles to cross early in the first half. Dave Griff slotted the conversion over for an early 7-0 lead. After recent disappointments in the league, Captain Coffin realised the importance of every point and so when the ref awarded Saints a penalty 35 yards out, Griff took the chance to add three more.

But this was never going to be an easy game and Farnborough hit back with a try of their own, neatly passing the ball out and finding an overlap down the Saints left. The conversion added two more, followed by a penalty to bring the scores level.

The Saints pack had dominated the scrum in recent games, but Farnborough put them under considerable pressure and caused some problems. It was a game that struggled to flow, largely due to some interesting refereeing calls, but both sides recognised the importance of the win and so took every opportunity to kick their points. Dave Griff added two more penalties and Farnborough kicked one of their own to take the score to 16-13.

But Southampton have had problems holding on to the lead in recent weeks and today was no exception. After a Farnborough break was halted short of the line they used quick ball to feed the fly half, who stepped back inside, drove through a tackle and stretched an arm across the line. The conversion went over and Saints now trailed 16-20. A familiar feeling of gloomy inevitability descended upon the Test Park faithful, many of whom now began the long walk back to the bar...

But the fans who had left early missed a heroic effort from Saints, who sensed the game was not lost and simply refused to give up. But the odds stacked up as they first lost flanker Paul Brant with a suspected fractured cheekbone. Then with only minutes left on the clock and all replacements used, Saints saw themselves reduced to fourteen men when the ref took exception to Pierre's use of the boot. Shortly after that they were down to thirteen, as Dave Griff took a bash to his knee ligaments. Centre Aaron Nelson stepped in at fly half and immediately made himself some space, jinking past the oncoming defence with a Griff-esque sidestep.

The game entered the final minute and Saints continued pressing. After a scrum on the Farnborough 22, the ball was passed out to Nelson who again drew his man before popping to Julian Robbins, coming through at pace. He took advantage of some missed tackles to break through and touch down right at the death. Dave Wood completed another faultless display of place-kicking when he added two points with the last kick of the game. Final score was 23-20, giving important league points for Southampton with just four games remaining.

Meanwhile the Southampton IIs put in a commanding performance against Farnborough IIs, running out 3-50 victors. Shaun O'Donnell scored two tries as new captain Rob Greenaway got off to a fantastic start. The Veterans made it three from three for Southampton as they overcame Portsmouth at home.