Romsey 102 Aldershot & Fleet 0

ROMSEY RFC players paid tribute to teammate Macaulay Campbell in the best way they could – with this record-breaking, 100-point plus league victory.

Saturday was the first time the squad had pulled on their club shirts since ‘Mac’ tragically died in a road accident on February 20 - just hours after being named his side’s man of the match.

The first team, and their Snows Group Hampshire One opponents Aldershot & Fleet, observed a minute’s silence before kick-off.

Each player wore a white armband with a personal note to their 20-year-old teammate, who had played for the club since he was a junior.

Aldershot knew they were in for a tough afternoon against determined, unbeaten Romsey.

Within a minute of the kick off, Number 8 Jack Groves walked through their defence before touching down twice more in the first 15 minutes.

Romsey continued to boss play in all departments. Centre Jed Easton brought up the bonus point and scrum-half Dan Penn-Newman slipped a tackle to place down on the half hour.

More first-half tries came from centre Alex Lee and Josh Syvet, who grounded the ball as Romsey’s dominant scrum bulldozed over for a 45-0 lead.

Penn-Newman got his second of the afternoon in the first minute of the second half and the try of the game came from the restart as Romsey swept forward for Lee to touch down again.

Replacements Chris Street and James Griffin scored a try each, Groves got his fourth, Street went over again and Jake Fulford, who had been nailing plenty of tough conversions, also got in on the try-scoring act.

With supporters hoping Romsey would mark such an important occasion with 100 points, full-back Ben Till crossed in the corner and Fulford’s boot split the posts from the touchline.

Romsey players and fans finally got what they deserved with the last play of the game as Easton raced clear.

Coach Ewald van Zyl said: “I’m very proud of the boys, the way they’ve pulled together as a squad shows how the club has come together since Macca’s death.

“It’s brought a bond to the club and the boys have shown that by performing outstandingly in all areas. They dominated every single area in the loose and tight play.”

He added: “Aldershot and Fleet were expecting something like this, the spirit in which the game was played was phenomenal on both sides.

“That’s what rugby is – that family spirit and all clubs joining together and moving forward. I take my hat off to them and thank them for all their support.”

Romsey remain second with a game in hand over leaders Ventnor, who beat Alton 25-0.

Full rugby round-up in today's Daily Echo