After last week’s disappointment against Farnham at Ganger Farm, a game in which really
Romsey should have come away with much more. This meant the boys in blue and gold felt as if
they had a point to prove after the heartbreak of the previous Saturday. The message from head
coach Jason Berry and throughout the dressing room was pretty simple which was: ‘We need to
show this league we aren’t here to make up the numbers’. The task at hand was a small trip
across to Fareham, who after two years at Hampshire counties 2 level would provide a stern test
for the visitors.

After a frenetic start from the hosts building a couple of phases together, the ball managed to spill
out into hands of Romsey scrum half Dylan Scott who belted the ball the best part of sixty metres(
mainly due to the prevailing winds throughout the afternoon unfortunately the kick went a little too
far and the subsequent goal line drop out missed the bread basket of Alfie Lawrence and
ultimately resulted in a Heathens scrum just inside their own 22 metre line.

Romsey moments later thought they had taken the lead through flyer Sam Adams after a great
piece of invention from Lamont, returning to his more favoured fly half position this week, but the
referee deemed there to have been a knock on when placing the ball down.

Then after a couple of stop start scrums and line outs within the Fareham Heathens 22 the
pressure finally told after a well worked backs move off one of the many scrums this game
witnessed. Some brilliant interplay between Scott and Lamont as well as an excellent 20 metre
pass from outside centre Aidan Cleland into the grateful arms of Sam Adams who was denied just
minutes before. Then he dotted down for a fairly straight forward score. Unfournately Sam’s try
was unconverted by Lamont.

After a period of sustained pressure from the hosts and a number of penalties and handling errors
from Romsey the home side through some good kicking from their captain and fly half. There was
some valiant defending in there from the visitors but after some decent phase play they calved
their way through to make the scores level at 5-5. The try remained unconverted as the Heathens
fly-half narrowly missed the posts.

Romsey responded well to the scored being tied up with some brilliant carries from the forwards
from the likes of the returning Nate Greathead and co. Before the ball was again spread brilliantly
by Cleland to the ever present threat Adams who was just held up about 5 yards before the line.
Luckily Adams managed to free his hands up to give the ball to pocket battleship and summer
arrival Ethan Hunt who crashed over for his first score in Romsey colours. Due to the wind kicking
conditions continue to cause havoc so this score wasn’t converted either 5-10.

The blue and gold then pushed to extend their marginal lead with again some brilliant carries and
phase play using some big hitters to tire out the Heathens Pack with the likes of Elliot
Johnson(EJ)battering the visitors around the breakdown. As well as some great turnover work
from skipper Harrison Scott and his back row partner in crime Ryan Daly. The pressure finally told
as Heathens gave away a needless penalty as Romsey began to creep in to the red zone and a
piece of intuition from Dylan Scott to take the quick tap penalty whilst the defence were retreating
led to the scrum half weaving his way over the whitewash for Romsey’s penultimate try. Cleland
attempted the conversion for this try, not helped by the fact that Scott did not run under the posts
for the try and instead went for flamboyant dive over the line so the angle was difficult in the
conditions therefore another two points were missed. Score now 5-15.

After a heavy downpour of rain at the end of the first half the visitors came out strongly again with
Dylan Argent and Dan Murrant carrying well providing some great go forward ball. The second
half saw the introduction of Romsey debutant Sam Matchan, who did not look out of place
producing some superb chop tackles. Eventually, this pressure forced an error from Heathens
giving away a penalty in a kickable position which Cleland slotted away with ease to extend the
Romsey lead to 5-18.

What followed this can only be described as a back’s worst nightmare with line outs and scrums
galore but against an experienced pack the relatively young pack of Romsey held their own especially one of                                                                      our many Sam’s on the side making his debut Sam Wilding. Much like his new
teammate Matchan, Wilding was like a duck to water handling the attrional set pieces with ease.
The theme of the game though beside some wonderful backs moves was the defensive effort
throughout the team keeping Heathens scoreless in the second half with relentless first up
tackling and break down work.

The visitors had more points in there sights and great turnover work again by Daly gathering
spilled ball and charging up the field. Possession was then shared for a while after a number of
handling errors from both sides. The ball came lose yet again in the Heathens back line which fly
half Lamont capitalised on putting boot to ball and running hell for leather up the other end of
pitch and it looked as if he was through until 10 metres from the line a try saving tackle put a holt
to the attack forcing Lamont to cough the ball up forwards.

Finally to take the maximum five points back to Ganger farm some lovely interplay from Admire
Munenga and Alfie Lawrence made sure that Romsey made positive in roads deep into the
Heathens 22. Before finally fresh off the bench Veteran Ben Hewitt quickly took the ball from base
of ruck and sucked multiple defenders in before producing a neat pop pass to Dylan Scott to
score his second try of the afternoon to round off a successful afternoon for Romsey. This try was
converted efficiently by Lamont leaving the final scored 5-25 to Romsey.

Romsey head away to Hungerford for an exciting cup fixture next weekend and then back in the
league at Havant III on the 4th of October back at Ganger Farm make sure you come down and
show your support for the lads.

Coach’s comments
JB: Today’s fixture showcased a resilient defensive display from the entire squad, with players 1
through 18 demonstrating unwavering commitment and tenacity a true reflection of the team’s
spirit. Fareham’s side posed a physical challenge, utilising a direct, route-one approach that put
our defensive organisation to the test.
Despite the stiff opposition, we maintained control of the game and capitalised on scoring
opportunities with precision and composure. While we could have potentially added more to the
tally, our performance was both disciplined and effective.
Looking ahead, the team is preparing for an important cup match before facing a formidable
Havant side at Ganger. Supporters are encouraged to rally behind the lads in full voice, as their
encouragement remains vital in pushing the team towards success.

Captain’s comments
HS: Thought the team fronted up well in an away fixture that has previously been a unsuccessful
hunting ground for us. Players such as Dylan Argent and new boy Sam Matcham really stood out.
Overall a very complete 5 point performance.

Written by Will Davies