1. Carly Mills
2. Amanda Gollop
3. Natalie Boettger
4. Sam Egan
5. Holly Ellis
6. Stacey Mackney
7. Dina Kakaras
8. Zoe James
9. Kirsty Jones
10. Ani Griffin
11. Hannah Fluck
12. Jasmin Crockett
13. Imogen Lewis
14. Emilia Battye
15. Michelle Dilley

On a bright morning, Southampton Ladies took to the field for their first game against Havant. With the game due to be played over three twenty minute periods, Saints were put at a disadvantage from the toss as Havant changed ends to play down the steep hill.

The game started brightly, with both sides looking to play open running rugby. The girls also showed they weren't afraid to get stuck into contact. Sam Egan stopped a promising Havant attack when she stole a loose ball at a maul, while Zoe James made a great covering tackle as she bundled the Havant left winger into touch.

The home side thought they had scored when the centres broke through the Saints' defensive line, but the ref judged it crossing and pulled play back. The breakthrough came shortly after though, as the Havant centre stole a loose ball and cut through a gap to score. The conversion was missed making the score 5-0.

Southampton were at a disadvantage as the scrums were uncontested, meaning their forwards couldn't show what they'd learned from Coach Andy Gough and challenge for the Havant ball. But they put up a good fight at the linout, with Stacey Mackney stealing a Havant throw dangerously close to Southampton's line.

It took Saints a while to settle, but once they did they threw the ball around with confidence. Kirsty Jones made good ground when she attacked the blind side from a scrum, while Jasmin Crockett also impressed as she made some great runs from inside centre. But the best attack of the half came when Sam Egan found Stacey Mackney, who offloaded to Imogen Lewis. She drew the defender and fed winger Emelia Battye, who was then bundled into touch by the defence.

Havant doubled their score late on in the first period, after Saints stole another Havant line and tried to run the ball clear. But despite their best efforts, the ball popped loose from a maul for a Havant player to gather and score. The conversion was missed from a difficult angle, making the score 10-0 after the first twenty.

Southampton made some changes at the break, moving Kirsty Jones to full-back, Jasmin Crockett to scrum half and Michelle Dilley to inside centre.

With Saints' defence looking solid, Havant's third try came from a crossfield kick which found the right winger in acres of space to gather and score. Again the conversion was missed, extending the lead to fifteen points.

Southampton continued to impress when they ran with ball in hand and showed they could retain possession at the breakdown. A promising attack on the right was foiled when the final pass was intercepted allowing Havant to run clear. The defence was also holding firm, with the pack halting a threatening Havant maul right on the Saints line.

Again Imogen Lewis and Emelia Battye combined well to attack down the right wing, but the ball was turned over and Havant chipped the ball ahead. Full back Kirsty Jones was on hand to pick up and run clear. The score at the break remained 15-0.

With the legs starting to tire, Southampton faced the prospect of running uphill again for the final third. But they showed great commitment and determination and continued battling throughout. But they were undone again when a loose ball was kicked through to the corner and the Havant centre beat Emelia Battye to touch down. No luck with the conversion, giving Havant a 20-0 lead.

Southampton then stepped up a gear and got their reward when number 8 Zoe James. She took the ball inside her own half and showed geat footwork to eveade the pack. She then took advantage of some confusion in the Havant defence to cut through a gap, before outpacing the winger in the race to the line. A fantastic try which was no less than the girls deserved. Ani Griffin was unlucky with the conversion, but the score was now 20-5.

The try seemed to lift the team and they played with renewed confidence and belief, with Sam Egan combining well with Holly Ellis to run the ball clear from their own 22. But despite their effort, the visitors were unable to add to their tally. It was Havant who finished the scoring when again they hacked through a loose ball for the outside centre to gather and diver over the line. This time the conversion was a success, making the final score 27-5.

The scoreline possibly flattered Havant a little and you have to wonder what might have happened if the girls were able to contest the scrums. A great game to watch with both sides showing real talent and putting together numerous attacking phases. Southampton also now realise the areas they need to work on, having been undone by some clever kicking to expose some defensive inexperience.

A huge well done to all the girls involved. Hopefully we'll soon be seeing the Havant Ladies at the club for a rematch.