Romsey 25 - 20 Saints

After last week's disappointing performance against Eastleigh Southampton were desperate for a good start against Romsey. But it was the home side who struck first, exploiting some missed tackles to cross wide on the left.

But unlike last week, Southampton were very much in this contest and opened their season's try tally after fifteen minutes. Aaron Nelson broke through the midfield from outside centre and set up a quick ruck. Ginger picked up and broke up the blind side, where he found pacemen Marcus Coffin and Bean outside him. Coffin showed great hands to gather the low pass and feed Bean, who overlapped the bemused winger to touch down in the corner.

While last week's results may have suggested this would be a one-sided affair, it proved be a closely fought contest with lots of action. Romsey restored their lead when Southampton's ball was turned over at the tackle and countered through a gap in the defence. Again the conversion was missed, giving Romsey a 10-5 lead.

But it didn't stay like that for long. Southampton pressurised the catcher at the restart and stole the ball. Pierre Molyneux spotted Mark Waterer unmarked wide on the right and put over a perfectly weighted crossfield, which Waterer collected and touched down for the equaliser.

Romsey stretched their lead when a rolling maul gathered enough momentum to force its way through the Saints defence. This time the conversion was successful.

Saints had a chance of adding to their score when they were awarded a penalty for holding on, but the kick from Nelson went wide. Instead it was Romsey who added a three pointer when they took an easy opportunity in front of the posts after the same offence from Southampton. At half time Romsey led 15-10.

But early in the second half Southampton demonstrated their pace out wide when they spun it out for Mark Waterer to link up with Aaron Nelson, who drew his man and found Julian Robins on the left wing. He outpaced his man to run in from twenty yards. Tony Cador was unlucky with his attempt at the extras on what turned out to be a bad day for everyone with the boot.

The patern of the game continued when Romsey hit back next. After setting up a quick ruck on the right the ball was spun infield where the centre cut through the defence on a great angle. No luck with the conversion.

But Saints ensured it would be a tense final fifteen minutes when Tony Cador broke from the back of a scrum and found Paul Brant in support. He darted through an improbable gap and returned the ball to Cador, who sidestepped the defender and ran the ball in from fifteen yards. The story of the day continued for Saints as again the extra points went begging.

The final minutes saw Saints camped in Romsey territory, but as pressure mounted at the back of the Saints scrum, the visitors struggled to get clean ball out to the backs and were unable to capitalise. Romsey held on for a 25-20 victory.

Lots of positives for Southampton, but no league points despite outscoring Romsey on the try count.

Meanwhile the 2s went down 5-52 against Tottonians 3s, with Ryan Keary scoring despite an injured shoulder. A good result for Foxy's Vets, beating Romsey 2s 20-14. A penalty try, one from Colin Martin and six points from Darren Smythe secured the win.