The first action of the new season saw Mark’s Seconds face Millbrook Seconds at Test Park. There were some new faces appearing for Southampton, including Tom Jackson at hooker, Russ ? at scrum half, Grant Jannaway at fly half and Adam Tyson at outside centre.

The opening few minutes were closely fought, with both sides trying to gain the upper hand. But Southampton opened the scoring after ten minutes when Julian Robins showed good pace to go round the outside of the defenders and touch down. Shortly after, Greg Speed repeated the feat on the opposite wing taking Southampton’s lead to 10-0.

Saints then started to dominate the game and the pack put in a massive shove at the scrum to drive Millbrook backwards and steal the ball against the head. About this time, Kevin Cant probably started to regret his offer to play front row for Millbrook….

Next on the scoresheet was Ian Mauger, who stole a loose ball on the Millbrook 22 and used his strength and pace to avoid the covering defenders and touch down under the posts. Grant Jannaway put the conversion over taking the score to 17-0.

Millbrook then put together their best attack of the game, pinning Southampton on their line with a series of quick tap penalties. But some solid defending kept the visitors out, before the ball was stolen and Grant Jannaway cleared Southampton’s lines.

Southampton continued to take their chances though, with second row Ian Paul grabbing himself a try after picking up a loose ball in midfield. He still had plenty to do, but used his strength to hold off the defence and gvig Southampton a 22-0 lead at half time.

A number of changes at half time saw Paul Brant replace Russ ? at scrum half, Scott Page and Mike Crouch replace Ben Woodhouse and Greg Speed on the wings while Dave Ward came into fly half with Grant Jannaway moving to inside centre.

Ward almost made an immediate impact as he picked up a loose ball and raced around the defence, only to see ref Terry Collingwood disallow the score for an earlier knock-on. Terry had blown his whistle moments earlier, so didn't have quite enough puff for his feeble peep to be heard fifty yards away....

Southampton were now in control of the tie and kept the pressure on throughout the second half. Debutant Tom Jackson capped an excellent display with a score by forcing his way over from close range after Millbrook lost the ball at the front of a line out.

Pete Fox joined in with a storming break from twenty yards, breaking through three tacklers before scoring under the posts. Southampton were now in complete control at 32-0.

Also in fine form was left winger Mike Crouch, who twice produced some excellent footwork to beat his opposite man, each time finding the pace to win the race to the line for a pair of excellent scores.

Dave Ward was again unlucky not to bag himself a try as he gathered a loose ball as it bobbled close to the Millbrook try line. He forced the ball down, taking a smash in the eye from a defender's knee in the process. Terry then added insult to injury as he signalled Ward’s foot had been in touch as he scooped up the ball and so awarded Millbrook the lineout.

Paul Brant rounded off an impressive Southampton performance as he broke through the defence to score between the posts.

The final score was an impressive 47-0, with Mark now taking his boys to Devon for a pre-season tour at Paignton.

Southampton Rugby Club

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