Snows Group Hampshire 2

Southampton edged a close encounter at Alton to remain the pacesetters in Snows Group Hampshire 2.

But Saints had to do it the hard way and fight back from 15-3 down to win 16-15.

Alton scored an early try and followed it up with a second as Saints battled to get back into the match. Tom Morton got them on the scoreboard with a drop goal but the home side increased their advantage when they went over for a third time.

However Saints, fielding a much-changed back line, put their early mistakes behind them and hit back when James Canneaux off-loaded to powerful Jake Tansley to touch down. Morton converted before tucking home a penalty.

Canneaux was sidelined with a yellow card after the break but Saints held tight and another Morton penalty – the only score of the second half – won them the game.

Romsey put the disappointment of defeat on their opening day of the season behind them with a 54-17 whopping of Fawley.

Dan Penn-Newman ran in a hat-trick of tries and Henry Ashton got two and Rob Heighway and Alex Hill one each.

Romsey lost to Locks Heath the previous week but new coach Matt Southey was pleased with the way his team responded.

He said: “It was a really good turnaround from last week and I’m very proud of them.”

Man of the match went to hooker Arron Gallagher.