Southampton 46 - 10 US Portsmouth

Southampton finally found the form they had been threatening all season as they demolished US Portsmouth on the final day of the league season.

Knowing they needed a bonus point win to stand any chance of leapfrogging Isle of Wight, Southampton put the pressure on from the start and were rewarded when scrum half Ramsay Lind disrupted the Pompey 9 at the back of a scrum. He managed to steal the ball and popped it up to Chris Milne who dived over for an early try.

Straight from the kick off, Southampton used the strong wind to peg US back in their twenty two and again capitalised on the pressure, stealing the line out. They retained the ball well, sucking in defensive numbers, before the ball was spun out to the backs where prop Kev Simmons found himself in the line and with nobody able to stop him from close range for the second try.

Despite Southampton's dominance, US Portsmouth were able to hit back with a try of their own after the ball was turned over by US who then exploited some missed tackles to run in a reply. The score stood at 17-5 at half time.

In the second half Southampton pressed on in search of the two further tries, and they didn't have to wait too long. Some sustained pressure took them close to the line, before Dan Keepax picked up and dived over for his side's third score.

The potentially crucial fourth try came from Chris Milne, who had an excellent afternoon and was difficult to stop throughout. But Southampton were not finished, and pressed home the advantage with Adam Zeller getting his name on the scoresheet after outpacing the defence from centre.

Chris Milne's great day continued as he clocked up a personal tally of four tries, earning him the man of the match award and taking Southampton to an unassailable 46-10 victory.

It was an excellent effort from Southampton which shows the quality they are capable of producing - and their fighting spirit when up against the wall.

However the celebrations were short lived as news came through from the Island that Isle of Wight had beaten Farnborough 75-37, earning themselves a bonus point and taking them clear of Southampton.

So Southampton finish second from bottom with two side expected to go down. There are still permutations from the London Leagues that may hand Saints a reprieve, but for now all the lads from Test Park can do is hope.......