Saints v Eastleigh

Southampton faced Eastleigh knowing they had to win to have any chance of avoiding finishing bottom. Eastleigh themselves started the day only three points above Saints and knew they too needed they win to guarantee survival.

Paul Brant returned at scrum half, with Dave Ward moving back to outside centre. Paul Childs started at number eight, with Pete Toland coming in at second row.

Not surprisingly it proved to be a tense affair, with both sides fiercely competing at the breakdown and winning some important turnover ball. The backs were also looking threatening, spinning the ball wide to winger Femi Adeniren early on in the game. But the defence proved to be solid and Saints were unable to cross the line in the first half. Dave Griffiths tried his luck with two penalties but was unable to find the target in the strong wind.

Eastleigh had few chances, although ex-Saint Pete O'Donnell broke through the line from full back before being stopped by a great tackle. Southampton's defence was tested again, when Eastleigh put together a number of attacking phases to come within yarsd of the Saints' line. After conceding a number of penalties, the ref warned Saints they were in danger of conceding a penalty try. But the defence held solid and Saints were able to clear their lines.

Southampton dominated most of the territory, but the game was still nil-nil at half time. The second half followed in much the same vein, with Saints creating plenty of scoring chances. Full back Julian Robins went close after cutting between the centres, but he was unable to find any support and was stopped short of the line. Marcus Coffin also made some good ground after stealing the ball at the lineout.

But yet again, Saints suffered as a result of poor discipline when hooker Andrew Dymott was sinbinned for repeated offences. They reorganised, with Coffin moving to hooker and Steve Dewey covering at prop. But they dug deep and managed to open the scoring after an hour. The ball went wide to Mark Waterer, who came close himself. The forwards set up a solid ruck right on the Eastleigh line and Ward ran on at pace. He hit a solid wall of defence but got the ball back to Paul Brant, who picked up and dived over to score. The conversion was wide, giving Saints a 5-0 lead.

Eastleigh reduced the deficit when the fly half slotted over a penatly. Things nearly got much worse for Saints, when an Eastligh forward drove over the Saints line, only to be held up by Pete Toland with a try-saving tackle. They took the lead with fourteen minutes to go however, when the fly half added a second penalty.

Saints spent the remainder of the game camped in the Eastleigh 22, but looked like they may come away with nothing as the clock wound down. Right at the death, Eastleigh were penalised for handling in the ruck. With no time for the lineout, Pierre Molyneux pointed at the posts and handed the ball to Dave Griffiths.

Despite the tough angle, the kicked seemed to be on course, but then drifted wide and short in the strong wind. But the ball bounced kindly for Southampton and into the arms of Paul Childs, who had chased the kick up. He passed outside to Josh Pitt, who touched down to seal the victory for Saints. The conversion was missed, but Southampton had stolen the points with a 10-6 win.

It was a close game, but yet again Southampton dominated much of the play and deserved the victory. It's Romsey next on 18th April and Saints know it's another game they must win if they are to avoid finishing bottom.