New Milton RFC bounced back from last week’s disappointment against Tottonians with a hard-fought 27-21 away victory over Southampton in Counties Two Hampshire, securing a crucial four-try bonus point.

Debutant Harrison Sainsbury crossed late on to settle a scrappy contest after the hosts had twice threatened to take the game away from the visitors.

Head coach Alan Steel admitted the mounting injury list had made life difficult, saying the winter break “cannot come soon enough” after another afternoon of forced changes.

New Milton dominated the opening 15 minutes, with Nathan Smith making a good break and the backs keeping the pressure on inside the Southampton 22. Sem Farnden came close to scoring, while a charge-down almost created another opportunity.

Against the run of play, Southampton took the lead after a penalty close to the posts. The hosts opted for a quick tap rather than three points, with their powerful prop crossing for a converted try.

New Milton responded through Ryan Morrell, who found a gap in the home defence to ground the ball despite a late challenge. Connor Hamerston then kicked a penalty to put the visitors 8-7 ahead.

The backs created another opening before the interval, with Christian Brown breaking a tackle to score after an overlap. Hamerston converted to make it 15-7.

However, Southampton hit back straight from the restart, their forwards powering over for another converted try to make it 15-14 at half-time.

The hosts carried that momentum into the second half, but Brown turned the game again with a superb interception inside his own 22. He raced the length of the field to score, with Hamerston converting to take a 22-14 lead.

Southampton refused to go away, and their number three made a powerful break before offloading for a teammate to score under the posts, bringing the hosts within a point at 22-21.

New Milton continued to press but struggled to turn possession into points. Eventually, Sainsbury made a memorable debut, crossing for the decisive try to seal the 27-21 win and bonus point.

The victory provides a welcome response to the previous week’s disappointment, although Steel will be hoping for some respite on the injury front.

Before the break, New Milton host Fareham Heathens on Saturday, with kick-off at 2pm.

New Milton: D. Colein, L. Booker, L. Thompson, R. Richardson, J. Corbett, L. Minardi, C. Heneghan, M. Santa-Maria, J. Wyse-Polson, D. Thomas, S. Farnden, N. Smith, R. Morrell, C. Hamerston, C. Brown. Subs: M. Moore, H. Sainsbury.