When many games were postponed due to waterlogged pitches, the state of the art drainage system at a Ganger Farm allowed Romsey‘s league game to go ahead with conditions firm under foot.

As befitted their second place league position Fareham started strongly pinning Romsey back in their 22 during the opening phase of the game. 

However Romsey defended well and eventually eased the pressure winning several turnovers and aided by the visitors conceding several penalties. Romsey then suffered a significant loss when hooker Ben Hoad, who had been having a storming game, was forced to leave the field with an injury.

Having withstood some Romsey pressure Fareham came again with a break down the right wing and when a loose pass went to ground it was pounced upon by one of the visitors to score the first try which was duly converted in the very strong crosswind to give Fareham a 7 : 0 lead. If Romsey were unlucky to concede the first score they can have no complaints about the visitors second try when poor defence allowed the ball carrier free rein to score near the posts. The conversion made the score 14 : 0 to the visitors at the break.

Romsey started the second half in a higher gear and there followed a period of intense pressure on the Fareham line ultimately resulting in a score for Harrison Scott who by this time was deputising at hooker. Jim Lamont slotted an excellent conversion in the windy conditions and at 7 : 14 down, but with their tails up, Romsey looked capable of turning things around. Further excellent play saw Romsey held up twice over the line and were unable to find the final touch to even the scores.

This was to be Romsey‘s last determined attack as Fareham recovered their composure and pinned Romsey back in their half for a long period which ultimately resulted in a well struck penalty giving the visitors a 17 : 7 lead. Romsey‘s woes were compounded when Fareham rounded off the afternoon with an unconverted try just before the final whistle making the final score 22 : 7.

After their winning run Romsey were brought down to earth and their performance contrasted with their excellent showing at Christchurch last week. Although missing a few key players through unavailability or injury this was a disappointing effort with far too many penalties conceded.

Currently Romsey are fourth in the league and face a tough challenge on Saturday at runaway league leaders Havant.