Eastleigh v Saints

After eight straight league defeats, things have been looking pretty bleak for the boys from Test Park. Despite some promising performances, Saints have been finding it hard to turn possession into points, whilst also giving away too many penalties for poor discipline. But a superb team effort from Pierre’s side earned the victory; albeit by the closest of margins. A few changes to the side that lost to Romsey saw Dave Griffiths return at fly half, Dave Ward moved to outside centre handing Ben Rawlings the number 11 shirt. Ryan Pickering made his league debut for the 1s at loose-head, possibly inspired by his new Andrew Sheridan haircut, Kevin Cant started on the flank and Tony Cador beefed up the scrum from number eight.

The game started promisingly for Southampton, with the forwards controlling play and creating good platforms for the backs. Dave Griff spotted a gap behind the defence and a clever chip to the left corner was chased well and stolen back from the Eastleigh winger. But as Southampton tried to press home the advantage, they lost the ball and suddenly found themselves on the receiving end of a counter attack. Eastleigh worked the ball to within ten yards of the visitors’ line, before being awarded a penalty in front of the posts as Saints desperately tried to stop the move. Choosing not to take the easy three points, Eastleigh took a quick tap and spun the ball out to the left, only for the winger to knock the ball on with the try line begging.

Sensing the game would be tight, Dave Griffiths happily claimed Saints’ first three points of the day, when the ref penalised Eastleigh for back-chat. They turned out to be the only points in a very tight half, despite a number of promising half chances from both sides.

Saints came out in the second half eager to capitalise on their solid start and turn their possession into tries. The breakthrough came from Ben Rawlings on the left wing, who reacted brilliantly to a stray pass from Pierre. After brilliantly picking the ball up as it bounced at his feet, he beat his opposite man on the outside and ran in from 15 yards. The conversion was left of the posts, giving Saints an eight nil lead.

Keen to apply more pressure, Saints pushed up quickly in defence and forced a number of mistakes from the Eastleigh backs. Another Dave Griff kick was gathered by the right winger, but a chase by Dave Ward left no time for the clearance kick, which was charged down. The ball bounced awkwardly, giving the defence time to track back and make the tackle as Ward had the line in his sights.

But despite dominating the possession, Saints were never able to find the points to make the game comfortable. And when Eastleigh snatched back a try of their own with ten minutes left, Saints must have been wondering what they needed to do to win a match. But unlike recent weeks, Saints refused to let their heads drop and battled right to the end. Things could have finished completely differently, as another Eastleigh attack made good ground down the left wing. With numbers in support, Eastleigh thought they had won the game when they bundled over a rolling maul in the left corner, but the touch judge’s flag saved Southampton. Even when prop Kev Simmonds was sin-binned for being ludicrously offside, Southampton dug deep to steal the win. They got the winner right at the death, when Pierre Molyneux delicately chipped the ball over the defence for Ward to claim as it dropped behind the try line. Griff made no mistake with the kick and Saints’ led 15-7 with seconds remaining.

But all credit to Eastleigh, who refused to give up as the clock ticked inevitably onwards. Straight from the restart and with the last play of the game, Eastleigh reclaimed the ball and attacked in numbers, moving the ball from left wing to right and opening a hole in the defence; who had maybe taken their foot off the gas knowing the 80 minutes was up. Eastleigh finished the game off with a try and added the conversion, but it was not enough and the ref blew for full time, the final score 14-15.

Saints’ victory may have been by the tightest of margins, but it will give them a huge confidence boost going into the Christmas period. Great performances came from newcomers Ben Rawlings and Ryan Pickering, Tony Cador controlled the scrum well and Paul Brant made some excellent runs around the breakdown. But the victory owes much to a fantastic defensive effort from the whole team and will give a much needed confidence boost ahead of the second half of the season.

Next up is the traditional 1s v Vets game on January 3rd followed by a challenge match against the ladies. So come on down and work off some of those mince pies… Before putting the calories straight back on in the bar afterwards!

Happy Christmas!