Southampton and Romsey, both promoted to Hampshire 2 at the end of last season, faced off on a bitterly cold and wet afternoon at Test Park. The sides ran each other close on both occasions last season, with a draw and only two points separating them in the final game of the season and Saturday's encounter proved to be similarly tense.

The game saw the return of Tyler Ross and Tommy Ashby after lengthy absences from First Team action, with Ollie Sutton making his First Team debut after impressing in the Seconds. Mark Mauger and John Redell ensured the bench was packed with experience.

Romsey kicked off with a strong wind their backs and they took any opportunity to use it it their advantage. After Tyler Ross was penalised for a late tackle they took their first shot at the posts from long range, only to see it sail wide. But they kept the pressure on as the Southampton drop-out was charged down. Southampton kicked clear, but Romsey gathered and attacked again. A long miss pass found their big full back who dodged several tackles to run in for the try. The conversion was missed, giving the visitors an early 0-5 lead.

Another penalty in front of the posts extended their lead, but Southampton had chances at the other end. A crossfield kick from Alec Gray almost put Ryan Morell in, but the ball was slightly too high for the winger to take cleanly. The ref brought play back in front of the posts for an earlier penalty and Southampton called a pre-planned penalty move, but in the wet conditions the ball was knocked on and Romsey cleared their lines.

Romsey took the chance for another long range penalty just before half time, but the ball bounced off the crossbar. The Romsey winger reacted fastest and picked up the loose ball to dive over for the try. The conversion drifted wide putting Romsey 0-13 ahead at the break.

Skipper Jordan Dashwood took his side into the changing rooms at half time to get out of those wet clothes. The fresh shirts and wind at their backs breathed new life into the home side, who got off the mark early into the half with a penalty from Ryan Morell. But Romsey hit back with a second try for their full back, stretching the lead to 3-18.

Southampton then went close to scoring when Tyler Ross spotted the ball had bobbled out of the ruck and hacked it forward. Dave Ward chased and kicked it a metre short of the Romsey line, but before he was able to gather it he was tackled from behind by a chasing defender. The ref was close enough for a decent view and decided it warranted nothing more than a scrum for a Romsey knock on, five metres out.

A pick up from Jordan Dashwood went close, Josh Fearon then went even closer, before it all collapsed in a heap and the scrum was reset. This time it was the backs' turn and again Fearon powered towards the line but he was stopped short, the ref deciding Romsey had failed to release in the tackle. From the penalty Saints put together four phases from the forwards before Tom Howells dummied from the back and dived over for the try. The score was now 8-18, with about twenty minutes to go and Southampton on the up.

Romsey tried and failed at another kick at goal, before Southampton hit back. Another series of crashes from the forwards powered towards the line giving Tyler Ross the chance to dive over for the try. Ryan Morell added the conversion, narrowing the score to 15-18 with minutes left on the clock.

Knowing they needed to keep the ball in hand, Southampton set about returning the kick off, moving the ball amongst the forwards. But a knock on saw their last chance go begging and when Romsey also knocked on, the ref blew for full time and Romsey breathed a sigh of relief. The game had swung in Southampton's favour by this point and had it been five minutes longer, they could well have stolen the win... although everyone might also have left the pitch with frostbite.

Robbie Ashby took the Man of the Match award for his performance at wing, full back and scrum half, while Jack Leadbitter took Dick of the Day after his disastrous attempt at a box kick cancelled out Southampton's knock on advantage and gave the ball straight back to Romsey.

The losing bonus point keeps Southampton ahead of Romsey in the table with a trip to New Milton on the cards next week.