**The Game**
The weather was perfect for rugby, but it was Southampton who started the brighter, buoyed by their recent promotion. The first few scrums were, well, a bit of a nightmare for Romsey fans, with old mates Marcus Coffin and Alex Hill running the show for Southampton. After a tough opening, Romsey’s pack settled, but the teams traded tries like heavyweight boxers throwing jabs.Romsey’s first try came from **Jim Lamont**, who spotted a gap in Southampton’s defence after a sharp pass from **Ioan Elliott**, Romsey’s lively scrum-half. Elliott kept the tempo high all day, putting his forwards in the right spots, and **Ben Hoad** was a pillar of strength in the scrums. **Michael Streicher** worked tirelessly at loosehead, ensuring Romsey stayed competitive in the set-piece.
Southampton hit back with two quick tries, but Romsey regrouped. A powerful midfield run from **Ollie Soundy**, one of Romsey’s vice-captains, led to Romsey’s second try. Soundy blasted through the Southampton defence after some slick handling by **Ed Davies** and **Jay Hodges**, with Soundy himself dotting down under the posts. His composure in the centre was a constant headache for Southampton.
The second half saw Romsey lift their intensity. **Harrison Scott**, captain fantastic, led by example, dominating in the lineout and putting in key tackles. Meanwhile, his younger brother **Dylan Scott** was dynamic from full-back, fielding kicks with precision and turning defence into attack with his elusive running.
Romsey’s third try was a moment of brilliance. **Ed Davies** showcased his deceptive pace and agility, slicing through Southampton’s defensive line to touch down. Davies was a constant threat, linking well with the backs and proving difficult to contain.
As the game entered its final quarter, **Tyler Beardsley** and **Brad Hughes** stepped up in the engine room, putting in the hard yards, while **Dan Murrant** was a menace at the breakdown, winning turnovers at key moments. **Ryan Daly** seemed to be everywhere (except maybe onside), and deservedly won Man of the Match for his relentless work rate.
With Romsey trailing by five points in the dying minutes, it was **Jim Lamont** who once again delivered, scoring Romsey’s fourth and final try after a series of relentless phases from the forwards. **Will Davies** made the initial break. Lamont, always calm under pressure, darted through a gap to tie the game. He had two difficult kicks to win it at the death, but neither quite found the target.
Southampton, to their credit, came close to snatching the win in the final moments, but Romsey’s defence, marshalled by **Elliott Johnson**, held firm. Impact players **Alfie Lawrence**, **Pierce Fouch**, and **Lewis Cartledge** added energy and fresh legs when called upon, and all contributed to a strong finish.
The referee deserves special mention for his control of the game, allowing the match to flow and keeping both teams disciplined in a fiercely competitive contest.
**Looking Ahead**
With this promising start, both Romsey and Southampton will look to build on their performances. It’s always nice to catch up with our old rivals, even if we’d rather Coffin and Hill didn’t dominate the scrum quite so much! Under new skipper Harrison Scott and head coach Jason Berry, this Romsey side has plenty to offer. Here’s to a long season of success, hard work, and hopefully fewer injuries next time out!
Line up:
1. michael streicher
2. Ben Hoad
3. Elliott “EJ” Johnson
4. Tyler Beardsley
5. Brad Hughes
6. Dan Murrant
7. Ryan Daly (Who won man of the match, presumably for being offside the entire day)
8. Harrison Scott (C)
9. Ioan Elliott
10. Jim Lamont (VC)
11. Jay Hodges
12. Ollie Soundy (VC)
13. Ed Davies
14. Will Davies
15. Dylan Scott
Substitutes/impact players
16. Alfie Lawrence
17. Lewis Cartledge
18. Pierce Fouch
