After an awesome performance in the Cup last week against Sussex One leaders Crawley, Southampton’s return to league action was a completely different story as they limped to victory over Aldershot & Fleet.

The game started promisingly for Southampton, powering over the Aldershot try line from close range after a training ground lineout move opened a gap in the defence. But if anything, the early score lulled Saints into a false sense of confidence which they struggled to live up to.

The game was littered with errors, with the ref afterwards claiming the highest scrum-count of his referring career. Southampton also gave away a needless three points when, after having stolen an Aldershot scrum against the head, the ball was scooped back by a flanker’s hand.

Saints extended their lead shortly before half time, when Julian Robins gathered his own kick ahead and outstripped the defence to score Saint’s second try. Again the conversion was missed, giving Saints a precarious 10-3 lead.

Dave Ward missed two chances to kick points as the visitors were repeatedly penalised for handling on the floor, but Southampton then found themselves with a man advantage when the ref lost patience with Aldershot’s continuous handling on the floor.

But having just sent the Aldershot player to do ten minutes, the ref had little option when Saints winger Josh Pitt was also spotted killing the ball in front of his own posts. Although it was his first offence, he too did a stint on the naughty step and Aldershot reduced the deficit to 10-6 with the last kick of the half.

Following a half time rollicking, Saints came out to try and stamp their authority on the game, but were again hampered by handling errors and silly mistakes. After another chance of three points went begging, Captain Pierre Molyneux took over kicking duties and slotted a successful penalty over from 25 yards to keep the Southampton scoreboard limping forward.

And the home side wrapped the game up inside the last quarter, utilising their inertia at the back of the scrum to force their way over the line for two late scores. The final try saw the ball spun along the back division, where prop Kev Simmons has been appearing a lot in recent weeks. He popped up outside Pierre, where he provided the extra man needed to go through the gap. He actually crossed the line himself, before offloading a terrible and unnecessary pass which his supporting man collected off his knees to touch down.

The final few minutes saw the game erupt in a flashpoint that left both team with 14 players. A scrum collapsed and hooker Ginger took a deliberate stamp to the back of the neck while lying face down in the dirt. Prop Marcus Coffin reacted angrily and left the Aldershot prop wishing he’d kept his studs to himself….

The two late tries took the final score to 25-6. Southampton must be pleased with the league points, but the manner of the win left much to be desired. Saints travel to Farnborough next week knowing they shouldn't get away with making that many mistakes again

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