Southampton hosted USP for their final home game of the season, with the clubhouse and touchline filled with supporters for the Old Boys reunion. Despite recent results going against them, Southampton went into the game confident they could take points off a team who started the day three places above them in the table.

Southampton started well, with fly half Alec Gray using the strong wind at his back to pin US in their own half. They put together a number of phases which took them inside the visitors' five metre line, with Jack Leadbitter and Josh Fearon carrying strongly. Aidan Sharp took a crash himself and, despite being cut in half by the fierce, recycled the ball well to continue the attack. A penalty gave Southampton the chance to unveil a training ground move, but the initial crash went too far and was held up over the line, giving Pompey the chance to clear their lines.

But while Southampton dominated both possession and territory, USP showed what they were capable of after regathering the drop out and breaking through the Saints defence. After a dash through the midfield, the ball was worked out wide to the right winger, who stepped through the defence for the opening score.

Southampton continued to dominate, including some excellent scrummaging which saw US driven backwards on a number of occasions. They were helped by two first half yellow cards for the visitors. Feeling the pressure, USP took any opportunity they could for points but facing a strong wind, the kicker missed an attempted penalty after 25 minutes. The second try came just before half time, when a quick tap penalty opened up the Southampton defence, the ball again found its way out to the right wing where the winger finished in the corner despite a valiant attempt at a tackle from Tommy Ashby.

Southampton's scrum continued to dominate, but each time USP were driven backwards and stood up the ref ordered Southampton to use it rather than award a penalty. Despite the half time protestations of skipper Jordan Dashwood and scrum half Dave Ward, the ref insisted this was "for safety" and the Southampton lads wisely bit their lips. USP led 0 - 12 at half time.

A scrappy line out saw USP grab the first try of the second half when the ball bounced back to the hooker off the front jumper. He popped to his support who crashed over in the corner. An excellent kick added the extras, making the score 0 - 19. Their next score as also somewhat scrappy. A Southampton knock on turned the ball over, the ball was thrown out wide but the pass fell short, the ball was hacked over the line and US were first to touch down, earning the four-try bonus point.

Southampton foiled a number of scoring attempts, with Mike Wong making a crucial tackle in front of the posts and Jordan Dashwood earning a number of penalties with quick jackals. But USP added two further tries right at the end, first with a looping miss pass to the right winger and then after offloading in the tackle, making the final score 0 - 38.

It's hard to argue US Portsmouth didn't deserve the win, but the scoreline certainly doesn't tell the whole story. Southampton dominated possession and territory in the first half, but the visitors were clinical with their finishing whenever they did get their hands on the ball.

Alec Gray took the Man of the Match award for his control of the game, including some excellent kicks to touch. Robbie Ashby took Dick of the Day after travelling all the way from Scotland to come and visit us and forgetting to bring his kit.

Despite the defeat the Old Boys day ensured a jolly atmosphere at Test Park with lots of familiar faces, while Anna treated the lads to the best food of the season - thank you!

It was going so well, right up to the point when Jordan and Dave attempted to recreate the lift from Dirty Dancing....