Romsey had drawn familiar club opponents Locks Heath Pumas in the first round of the cup. Romsey had gone with a young squad, with Harry Austin at hooker. Flanking him were Gerry Francis and Matthew Easton. Taking up positions in the engine room were Darren Hall and Frankie Powell-Wright. The back row was Jordan Carter and Macca Campbell at flanker with Sam Arthur taking the number 8 jersey. At nine, Dan Penn-Newman retained his jersey, and took the captaincy. Toby Bull started at fly-half, with centres Alex Lee and Jake Dugdale.

Rob Stent and Tom Robinson took the wing positions with Andy Stewart at full-back.

On the reserves bench, were Sam Swinstead and Matt Spark covering the forwards, and providing back cover were Jim Lamont, James Holgate and Ben.

With the game opening under blustery and damp conditions, Romsey were quick to pressure the Pumas, giving the visitors an idea of what was to come with the physicality of the game.

Locksheath diffused Romsey’s initial foray into their territory and cleared finding ground further up the field. Unfortunately for Romsey, Austin was forced to leave the field through an injury. A re-shuffle was required in the forwards with Jordan Carter moving up into the hooker position and bringing on Sam Swinstead to re-numerate the pack.

The Pumas were the first to get points on the board, with a try working up through the forwards, and then crossing the line via an absolute battering run from one of their players. The visitor’s kicker had his radar working and calmly knocked over another two points. Locks Heath were quickly on the offensive once again as they applied immediate pressure to the home side, a turnover gave Locks Heath the ball and they pushed on down deep into Romsey’s territory. The Pumas were not done, and they crossed over in the corner. The kicker from the visitors was unable to notch the conversion up on the board with the kick drifting wide to the right and falling short by five metres.

Romsey were keen to prove that they were not without teeth and came back hard at the Pumas. Within minutes, Romsey had exerted their muscle and had pushed down the field with a series of flowing moves, the forwards took it into contact and the ball was shipped out. Alex Lee cut back inside, who found Dan Penn-Newman on his inside shoulder, Dan found Sam Arthur who went over for the score. Toby Bull stepped up and notched up an extra two, making the score 12-7 in Locks Heath Pumas’ favour.

The game went back a few notches, with both teams looking to probe and find out the weaknesses in the opponents defence. Romsey struck again after the Pumas had cleared their lines. Starting from inside his own half, Andy Stewart took the ball on the move, racing up towards the ten-metre line, drew the tackler and passed to Dan Penn-Newman. Dan raced forward and cut back inside, turning the defender inside out.

Dan sent a beautiful pass into the hands of Rob Stent, who scorched down the last ten metres to slide in at the corner. Try number two for Romsey. Toby Bull stepped up to take the conversion, but unfortunately the ball went wide left of the uprights.

Romsey were not finished however, and after sustaining the defence in the face of a series of attacking phases from Locks Heath, Romsey went down the other end at put heavy pressure on.

The Pumas’ defence was equal to the task, however, and Romsey could only go sideways.

A clever kick through from Toby Bull put the visitors defence under immediate stress, and in a moment of madness, pushed the ball out of the side of the try area. Immediately the referee went under the posts and blew for a penalty try. Toby Bull stepped up and the conversion flew between the uprights.

The second half was a little more sedate than the first with both teams struggling to break down each other’s defence. Romsey had the first lapse with the Pumas penetrating and driving down into the corner. Romsey held their defence and held off the Pumas. The visitors were not to be refused as they pushed onwards and went over the tryline for the score.

The Pumas kicker stepped up, but a difficult kick meant that it missed. It was now 19-17 to Romsey. Romsey were still pushing hard, and upon reclaiming the restart managed to force a penalty from the Pumas. Toby Bull, stepped up, and as cool as Ice, slotted it between the uprights. The game finished 22-17. Romsey had played well, coming together as a team. The scrum and lineout had worked to a good level, and had won ball from the opposition. But, Romsey were trying to force the game too much. Off-loads were being forced which perhaps should’ve been kept in and recycled. Knock-ons were happening alongside other simple errors. Some fantastic rugby had been played, but again it was the mental side of the game which was where Romsey had to step up.

Romsey face Bognor tomorrow for a must-win home game. Bognor come in to the game having won four of their last five games. Romsey come in having only won two games this entire season.

For more details on the upcoming games check out www.romseyrufc.co.uk or follow @RomseyRUFC on Twitter.