Winchester 16 Tottonians 13 – report
An injury time penalty was all that separated the sides in a pulsating contest between two well matched sides but, unlike the reverse fixture, the spoils went to Winchester.
WINCHESTER 16 TOTTONIANS 13
Devils Island, North Walls, Winchester
Saturday 1st February 2025
Regional 2 South Central – match 16
Totts started the game brightly when Leo Tongue caught Ethan Riley’s kick-off on the full before being brought down on the hosts five metre line. The ball was spread wide before Winchester scrambled the ball into touch on thieir own five metre line.
Totts lost the line out and Winchester cleared to their 22 from which a great attack saw Liam Murphy held up over the try line.
The visitors had been playing with an advantage for offside and the shot at goal was missed.
A kick behind Totts defence by the hosts fly half resulted in a sustained period of pressure which led to Totts conceding three penalties in quick succession, the final penalty being converted for 3-0 after 8 minutes.
From the restart another series of penalties were conceded by Totts which, combined with our clearing kicks not finding touch, gave Winchester field position. However, their shot at goal from the final penalty went wide.
Totts came back and it was Winchester’s turn to give away penalties the last of which was kicked for touch. The throw was not straight but a great drive at the resulting scrum against the put in gave us a penalty which was converted by Robbie Searle. 3-3 after half an hour played.
Totts attacked from the restart putting the hosts under pressure before their flanker received a yellow card for a deliberate knock on. Robbie Searle converted the penalty 3-6.
Totts continued to attack with half time approaching and were awarded another scrum penalty after a Winchester knock on. Unfortunately the kick at goal drifted wide and the score remained 3-6 at half time.
Two minutes into the second half Connor Andrews was sin binned for a high tackle. Totts then fluffed a line out in the hosts half and two penalties later saw themselves defending a five metre line out. Winchester drove forward and mounted a series of pick and goes before the ball was spread wide to outflank a depleted Totts defence and score a converted try. 10-6 seven minutes into the second half.
25 minutes into the second half Winchester were in the ascendancy but robust Totts defence was keeping them at bay. Cam Flint looked to have ripped the ball from an attacker but the referee deemed the players’ knee was on the ground and thus the tackle was complete. Cam was sin binned for not releasing and the resulting penalty was converted to give the hosts a 13-6 lead.
With five minutes to go Totts were awarded a penalty and kicked for touch. It was Totts turn for a series of pick and goes before Kev Raqio received the ball, instead of charging for the line he acted as the pivot to feed Connor Andrews who was coming at pace on the angle. He smashed through the last of the defence to score close to the sticks. Tom Tully converted to tie things up at 13 apiece as full time approached.
In injury time Totts were in at the side at a ruck and Winchester made no mistake from the tee to seal the win.
Totts won the ball at the restart but were unable to convert their last attack.
A very close encounter between to very evenly matched sides, a last gasp penalty being the decider as was the home fixture when Totts were the beneficiaries.
Great effort from all involved.
TOTTONIANS POINT SCORERS:
1 try – Connor Andrews (sponsored by Ramus Seafood)
1 conversion – Tom Tully (sponsored by Brewpack)
2 penalties – Robbie Searle (sponsored by R&M Electrical)
ACTION PICTURES COURTESY OF JOSE RIBEIRO PHOTOGRAPHY
(Jose Ribeiro Photography)
