Southampton 8 - 15 Millbrook

Southampton were desperate for a confident start against their local rivals, but instead found themselves giving away early points as they were repeatedly penalised in their own half. Within the first few minutes, flanker Jamie Hoque was penalised for a late tackle, only to see the Millbrook kicker confidently slot the ball over from 40 yards. This was followed soon after by three further penalties, all finding the target from impressive range as Millbrook took every opportunity for points.

Despite the 12 point head start, Millbrook struggled to impose themselves in open play and it was Southampton who had most of the possession and territory. But they also found it hard to string together multiple attacking phases and instead opted for three points when Millbrook were penalised for holding on in front of the posts. Southampton have been struggling with the boot in recent weeks and again the opportunity went begging as Ryan Keary’s effort drifted wide of the upright.

As the half progressed, Southampton attempted to utilise the sun with Pierre Molyneux putting up a number of high balls for winger Mark Waterer to chase. He showed good pace to put pressure on the catcher, but the Brook full back covered and helped clear the ball to safety. Southampton were probably guilty of kicking away too much possession as their back line showed they had the pace to trouble Millbrook with the ball in hand, but after a difficult start to the season they possibly still lack the confidence to open up and run at defences. The first half remained tight with neither side creating a clear try-scoring opportunity, leaving Millbrook with a 12-0 half time lead.

Saints made a number of changes at half time, with prop Ryan Pickering making way for Marcus Coffin and Ian Mauger replacing Jamie Hoque at flanker. They were soon forced to make their final substitution when captain Molyneux went off injured. He was replaced by Will Ewell, who immediately made an impact crashing through the midfield and showing good strength to stay on his feet. The ball was then moved out to the right where Southampton attacked the narrow blind side with winger Femi Adeniren, but he was stopped short and the threat came to nothing.

But the second half saw Southampton step up a gear, thanks largely to the influence of Tony Cador at number eight. He picked the ball up inside his own half and forced his way through a number of Brook tackles. The space opened up in front of him and he showed great pace to close in on the Millbrook try line. With just the full back to beat Cador slowed up to find support, when perhaps he should have backed himself against the solitary last man. But from the resulting ruck, substitute Coffin came from depth to power his way over the line. Again Southampton’s patchy kicking record continued as the opportunity for the extras was missed. Ryan Keary did then add a three point penalty for Saints, only to see Millbrook cancel out the score with a penalty of their own soon after.

The final minutes saw Southampton pile on the pressure deep in the Millbrook half and were rewarded with a penalty inside the Brook 22. With the clock ticking, the ball was prodded into the corner and a training-ground lineout move was called. But Southampton had struggled at the set piece all day, and again the ball went loose for Millbrook to steal and clear their lines.

The home side then had a final chance to set up a try scoring position when they were awarded a late penalty just inside their own half. They looked to tuck the ball into the Millbrook corner but the kick was too long and the ball went dead in-goal. Millbrook gratefully cleared from the resulting twenty-two and when the ball next went dead, the final whistle heralded a 15-8 defeat for Molyneux’s side.

Southampton will take some comfort from the fact that Millbrook failed to threaten their try line, but must also be disappointed that they gifted the visitors the win through their own mistakes and poor discipline.