Following a bruising run of fixtures, Romsey were looking for a strong bounce back against Southampton. A rematch of last seasons finale where Romsey put in a below par performance and gifted Southampton a 2 point win. Spurred on by the poor performance last season (And some interesting comments in Southampton’s Match Report) Romsey were looking for a big win.
In disgusting weather, Romsey started strong a kick off being dropped by Southampton gave Romsey some early territory. Following a great run by hooker Ben Hoad, Skipper Harrison Scott was hit very late (First of Many…) after passing to No.10 Jim Lamont giving Romsey an early shot at 3 Points. Unfortunately, the kick just slid wide. On the resulting 22 drop out Scott charged it down putting Southampton under immense pressure, a missed touch from their centre increased the pressure. Following another carry by Hoad the Southampton defence were very narrow, after a couple of passes Romsey’s flying fullback Sam Adams went through for his first try of the game from his first touch of the ball. Conversion made by Lamont.
Unfortunately, Romsey were forced to make an early change with Hoad receiving a nasty cut which required a blood substitution with Dylan Argent coming on temporarily. From kick off Romsey put themselves under pressure inside their own 22 with a forward pass. However, incredible scrummaging from the Romsey tight five consisting off Tom Bird, newly introduced Dylan Argent, Alfie Lawrence, Brad Hughes and Brad Piper pushed Southampton out of the 22 (first of many dominant Romsey scrums) and earning a penalty in the process. Following the lineout Romsey 9 Will Davies was cynically hit late (again…) giving Romsey an easy exit uptowards halfway. Unfortunately, a couple of silly penalties led to Southampton being camped on Romsey’s 5, however great pressure by Romsey’s flankers Ryan Daly and Tom Johnson forced a knock on. The clearing kick from the scum by Lamont was an excellent one putting Southampton back inside their own half. Following a quick tap penalty there was an unfortunate knock on by Romsey, at the resulting scrum Southampton were too egar in trying to recover some pride following the earlier scrum and gave a way a free kick. Which quickly turned into a penalty at the next phase sadly for Romsey the lineout didn’t go to hand.
A bad Southampton exit was slapped down by Romsey centre Admire Munega into the waiting arms of Johnson who like he had all game made plenty of metres. However, a couple of knockons by both teams gave Southampton a scrum on their 22. Romsey’s dominant scrum showed its teeth again by walking Southampton off their own ball (for the second time in the match) however the resulting attack led to nothing.
A couple of penalties and a few knock ons later Southampton managed to pull the ball out of their rapidly reversing scrum and attack down Romsey’s left wing. Quickly shut down by Romsey winger Jay Hodges, following a couple of phases of gaining very little off the brilliant Romsey defence. Southampton kicked the ball down Adams throat who got up to Southampton’s 22 before being taken down and sadly the support wasn’t there so Romsey gave away a penalty to release all the pressure they had piled on. Following great touchline work by Romsey’s flanker come centre Dan Murrant kept the ball alive and back into the arms of Johnson who yet again made great metres.
A little grubber through the Southampton line was picked up and sent out to the Southampton winger who tried to line up his opposite number Olly Soundy who preceded to cut him in half giving Piper an easy jackal however the referee pulled it back for an earlier knock on. At the resulting scrum Romsey (yet again) walked Southampton off their own ball unfortunately this was then dropped by Murrant. Looking to make up for the unfortunate mistake at the scrum Murrant flew out of the line and smashed his opposite number forcing a knock on in the process.
In a period of great rugby marked by some dominant runs by captain Scott and winger Soundy and some unfortunate knock ons Romsey ended up with a penalty which, after discussion between Lamont and Scott, they decided to kick for the posts. Despite the great distance Lamont’s kick looked to be heading through the posts until at the last minute it dropped onto the crossbar Romsey winger Hodges was the only player on the pitch awake to capitalise on the short kick, stepping three players in the process of scoring to put Romsey 10-0 up. The first half ended with some more dominant Romsey scrums but unfortunately the discipline gave Southampton an easy way into the Romsey 22. But again great Romsey defence kept Southampton scoreless in the first half.
Having gone in for a pink fluffy towel and a change of shirts Southampton kicked off the second half well drawing an early penalty (despite appealing for far more then they got) which they kicked to start their points tally for the afternoon. For the next 5 minutes Romsey dialed the pressure right up great running by all. Unfortunately, a spill on the Southampton released all the pressure. However, Adams got the ball in hand again ran round all but one Southampton player lodging Romsey back onto the Southampton 5 metre line. This time Romsey managed to capitalise, scoring in the corner to go 15-3 up. Full of enthusiasm Romsey centre Admire decided he had not done enough running in the game yet so went charging after Lamonts conversion attempt (which had slide wide) much to the amusement to all of the Romsey supporters.
The second half continued in the same vein as the first, some great running by Romsey forwards and centres but sadly the weather made it very difficult to capitalise on the great attacking play. Southampton grew into the second half after capitalising on a bouncing ball (having first taking the Romsey player without the ball out) were camped on the Romsey 5. Great defence kept them at bay for a while but Southampton found a way to get themselves a try. 8-15. The second half gave Silas Clarke a Romsey debut on the wing as well as bringing Oli Pike into the second row, both had a great half. Despite the Romsey dominance in the scrum (making at least 30 metres just off the scrum alone) and ball carrying they weren’t able to add to their points tally for the second half par a penalty slotted by Lamont. Some late Southampton pressure led to them scoring to make it a 3 point game with 20 seconds on the clock. Romsey managed to force a knock on ending the game 18-15 in favour of Romsey.
Coach’s thoughts, Jason Berry – “A wet cold day should have played into Southampton’s style of play and nearly did. However, our first half dominance was enough, the scrums were fantastic and on a dry day we would have ended up with a cricket score but it was not a dry day and we still found a way. Proud of the lads and we keep chipping away up next Chichester.”
Captain’s Comments, Harrison Scott – “I though the team played well across large parts of the game. With a slight lapse in energy in the last 15. This continues our good performances over the last few weeks. With a good run until Christmas we will be right in the thick of this league.”
