TWO leagues separate Southampton and Alton, but on the evidence of this performance, that is likely to be temporary as the city side comfortably took this Hampshire Caffrey's Cup tie 23-5 at a blistering cold Test Park.

In deep trouble at the foot of London Three South-West and prime candidates for relegation, Alton were a pale shadow of the Hampshire Cup finalists just 18 months ago.

Admittedly, this side bore no resemblance to that one, but Southampton ruefully exposed the weaknesses that have decimated the mid-Hampshire club throughout the past two seasons.

Playing against the strong northerly wind, Tony Cador's team dominated the first-half after Dave Griffiths, who had an outstanding game at fly-half in all departments bar place kicking, had given them a fourth minute penalty lead.

Regularly piercing holes in the defence, Southampton, and Griffiths in particular, were creating plenty of opportunities - only a forward pass denied Cador a score in the opening ten minutes.

Although they lost influential prop Wayne Allen to a dislocated shoulder injury, Southampton remained firmly on the attack, culminating in Alex Scott crossing after Cador's incisive break, and Scott posted a second try before the opening quarter was through.

Martyn Sheridan added Southampton's third try on the stroke of half-time to open an 18-0 interval advantage, which they comfortably sat on throughout a error-strewn second half.

Kevin Wilson, who had arrived late for the visitors, crossed after a clever kick-off move stunned Southampton and caught them napping in defence, but the cushion was regained three minutes later.

Carl Wilmore's catch from a line-out pushed Saints forward, and prop Pete Fox emerged from the rubble of bodies to claim the score, to the cheers of the partisan support, which was enough of see the hosts through to a second-round February showdown with Havant.

Exhausted and full of a heavy cold, Southampton skipper Tony Cador was thrilled with the victory. He said: "All the boys ran themselves ragged, and I am very proud of the effort they put in.

"Everyone is knackered, as we put a lot into the first half, as was our plan. Then going into an 18-0 lead was good and we sat back on it; a bit too much as we conceded a sloppy try.

"However, we tightened up when we needed to, and that is pleasing. It's been a lovely day for the club."

For Alton captain David Rowledge, it is back to the drawing board. He said: "It did not help having four players withdraw last night, but that has been the story of our season.

"With the lack of player numbers, as we are suffering at the moment, you just cannot fill four places just like that.

"Southampton are in a winning habit and are proving that, but we are not and it shows."