Southampton’s biggest boys returned on Sunday with a game against the even bigger boys of the Basingstoke men’s team. It was looking like an uphill battle for Southampton with 2 of the squad in bed ill, captain Finn telling anyone who would listen about his fever and our resident rugby lad MR Wilkes suffering from his 52nd concussion of the season.

Despite the adversity a rousing team talk was delivered, and immediately forgotten, and the boys lined up for the start. The swim off was lost but it didn’t matter when 2 minutes later Finn scored to open the scoring and set Southampton on their way. The score remained 1-0 for the next 5 minutes with some ferocious defensive work. It was only a matter of time before captain major Dan Ammon registered his first stint in the corner ….. quickly followed by a second and a penalty. No matter, the man down was successfully defended, Luke could bat away Basingstoke penalties in his sleep and in the dying embers of the first quarter Dalton remembered he is allowed to shoot and, with a shot that could’ve broke the net, sent us into the first break 2 goals to the good.

Dalton continued his fine form into the second quarter scoring either side of Basingstoke finally getting a point on the board. Woody then scored before he and Finn jumped out for a quick asthma attack. Determined to keep them on the ropes Dan fired in from downtown to extend our lead to 6-1 before a couple quick goals from Basingstoke made the half time score 6-3 to Southampton.

After a great team talk from Coach Lottie the boys were fired up heading into the third quarter. Unfortunately, fitness levels started to show and the 13men of Basingstoke used their subs well to counterattack and score to start the quarter. A tight goalless 6 minutes followed before another couple of Basingstoke counterattacks made it 6-6 going into the final quarter.

Basingstoke continued to counter in the fourth quarter scoring 3 quick goals. The chances for Southampton to narrow the score came as went with a few missed passes and a wild shot from Finn which was closer to the ceiling than the cross bar. Beaten, and bruised the boys soldiered on and with the captain lying injured on poolside Alex stepped up, determined to land the final blow, and fired home to make the full-time score 10-7 to Basingstoke.

Only 4 months ago this same team (newly brought together) lost 18-5. An unreal performance from the lads that, not unlike the Welsh at the weekend, felt like a victory despite the disappointment.

Man of the match: Everyone stepped up, Alex and Dalton deserve a special mention for as ever stepping up and playing almost the whole game and so does Luke ‘The Wall’ Bennalick for heroism that belongs in a Greek epic.

Dick of the day: Alex for falling 5 goals short (if you know you know)

Written by Finn Thomas