Southampton 27 - 17 Fareham Heathens

Southampton returned to winning ways on Southampton with a much needed win over felllow strugglers Fareham Heathens. They also claimed a vital bonus point after running in four trys in the process.

After some disappointing openings to matches, Southampton were determined to start well and they couldn't have done better. Keary kicked off, hanging the ball up well for the Southampton pack to attack, retaining the ball and building forward momentum. As they powered forward, Heathens were penalised and Keary slotted over an easy three points inside the first minute.

Soon after, Southampton's backs got involved, moving the ball along the line where Tom Barnes broke through the defence only to be stopped short of the line. But the ball was recycled, with Doug Barrow also crashing through and setting up on the Heathens line. Pete Fox picked up and drove from the back of the ruck, finding a gap and touching down "under the posts, where it belongs". Keary put over the conversion for an early 10-0 lead.

Fareham then had some good possession and came close to scoring themselves, but excellent defending from Southampton kept the gates shut as the visitors threatened the Saints' line.

Southampton used the wind to keep Fareham pegged back in their own half, but were unable to capitalise on the territorial advantage and the score stayed at 10-0 at half time.

The second half saw Southampton pull away, as Doug Barrow added their second try. He found himself surrounded by Heathen's defenders but somehow managed to stay on his feet and force his way through. He then showed surprising pace, winning the race to the line with three defenders giving chase.

A touch of showboating on the line had a few Southampton hearts in their mouths, and earned Barrow a mild rebuke from the ref, but he got the ball down for the try which Keary converted. 17-0.

If Southampton had the beating of Heathens in the backs, Fareham posed a number of questions up front and were putting big pressure on the Saints pack. They were rewarded with a try shortly after when some missed tackles let a big runner through. The conversion was missed reducing Saints' lead to 17-5.

But Southampton hit back straight away as they got the ball wide to winger Adam Tyson, via Ryan Keary and Russ Clark. Tyson did extremely well with little space, forcing his way over in the corner. Had there been a fourth official he surely would have been asked for his opinion on this one, but the ref was happy and awarded the try, for 22-5.

Southampton then claimed a bonus point as Ryan Keary came into the line from full back and beat his man, before chipping over the defence. A kind bounce popped the ball up nicely and Keary dived over the line. He was unable to convert his own try, leaving the score 27-5 with ten minutes remaining.

Fareham then raised their game, with Southampton going off the boil somewhat. A 5 yard Fareham scrum was driven towards the Southampton try line, forcing the Saints font row into the air and leaving the ref with no allternative but to award a penalty try. The conversion took the score to 27-12.

With the clock winding down, Fareham claimed a late consolation try down the left wing, when a combination of missed tackles and excellent hand-offs let Heathens in. Again no luck with the converison, leaving the final score 27-17.

An excellent result for Southampton, who needed the league points to move clear of the bottom. Tom Barnes took the Man of the Match award with an excellent display of tackling and some incisive breaks from inside centre. Jamie Hoque put in a great display at flanker, while Chris Milne also had a great afternoon - despite being handed-off by the smallest man on the pitch!

Southampton travel to league leaders Andover next week.