Southampton 33 - 22 Fareham Heathens

Southampton blew away the Christmas cobwebs by taking a potentially tricky friendly against their nearest league rivals, Fareham Heathens.

They started the game well and showed the power of their pack after seven minutes when Pete Fox was driven over after a catch and drive from a lineout. Rob Gould added the extra points with an excellent conversion from out wide.

Soon after Chris Alston made a break from inside his half and the ball was recycled to Harry King. He found prop Kev Simmons who audaciously stepped inside his man nefore finding Ian Budd in support. But with a clear run to the try line, Buddy showed the hands of a true second row - and knocked the ball on.

With only twelve minutes gone Chris Alston, Kev Simmons and Ian Budd were involved again as they combined well to avoid the Heathens' defenders. Buddy managed to control his hands-like-feet and popped inside for Julian Robins who finished the move off with style. Rob Gould made it 14-0 with the conversion.

But Fareham hit back with a pick up from their number eight. He had support on his right and the winger ran in for the try. The conversion was missed.

Southampton's third try came after Ryan Keary hacked a loose ball forward, which Will Ewart and Harry King chased down together. They turned over the Fareham full back as he gathered it and got the ball away to Ian Budd, who actually caught the ball and ran in for the try! No mistake from Gould, taking the score to 21-5.

The final try of the half came on the half hour mark. Chris Milne had been making some good distance throughout the half and after another powerful surge he got the ball away to Kev Simmons. Some neat handling between Simmons, Tom Jackson and James Mankievicz put Chris Alston into space and the winger finished the move off well.

Gould's conversion made it 28-5, which was the score at half time.

During the break Fareham asked for uncontested scrums as their prop was being sick, but instead Southampton new boy Kieran Berry gamely pulled on a red and black shirt to keep the set piece competitive. Southampton also made a number of changes and it took some time for the new line up to settle.

Instead it was Fareham who took control of the game with Southampton conceding a number of penalties. Some quick taps earned some easy ground, before the forwards combined to drive over for Heathens' second try. The conversion made it 28-12.

They added a third almost immediately when a box kick from the scrum half was taken comfortably by Chris Alston. He passed to his left, much to the surprise of everybody as there was absolutely nobody there! The loose ball was picked up and run in by Heathens taking the score to 28-17.

The Fareham comeback continued and with ten minutes remaining their fly half cut through Southampton's ten-twelve channel and passed out to his inside centre. He still had plenty to do, but finished off from long range. The conversion was missed, leaving the score at 28-22.

But Southampton weren't finished and finished the game off after another break from Chris Alston. He had Maika Bunny outside him, who picked up the low pass and finished strongly in the corner. The conversion was missed giving Southampton a 33-22 win.

Southampton should be very pleased with the result, having made a number of changes and taking the chance to see some players in new positions. Will Ewart had a good game at inside centre, while Kieran Berry also gave a good account of himself - even if it was for Fareham!

Chris Alston had an excellent game on the wing, while Ian Budd's try mean this game will live long in the memory of one particular second row....

Southampton take the Funbus to Overton on Saturday and will be looking to stretch their lead at the top.