Andover 15 Tottonians 44 – Report

Tottonians cantered to a comfortable seven-try victory over Andover, taking home all five points in a 44-15 success in North Hampshire – making it eight win from eight to stay top of the table.

ANDOVER 15 TOTTONIANS 44
Goodship Ground, Andover
Saturday 9th November 2024
Regional 2 South Central – match 8

This was a highly professional performance from Tottonians, especially in the second half, as they eased past the difficult challenge Andover presented on their home patch, where they have a good record and knew the conditions.

On a chilly afternoon in the north of the county, Totts played down the Goodship ground slope in the first half but were guilty of trying to force the play a bit too much despite dominating much of the action.

Andover were the first onto the scoreboard when the visitors were caught offside and Matthew Ryan kicked the penalty but it was the only time the hosts were ahead and it lasted just two minutes.

An incredible tackle from flanker Connor Andrews saw Andover cough up the ball and some good hands in attack saw the hosts penalised five metres out.  A tap penalty move was spread wide and Tom Tully crossed on the left to get Totts off and running.

A great chance went begging on the quarter-mark when a chip through from Tully was cleverly kept in play and deflected off an Andover defender for a line-out but, from it, Totts were pinged for crossing in midfield with Josh Andrews free and in space to score.

Andover were being kept in the game as Totts tried to engineer quickly rather than plot and execute their moves but it finally came together after 28 minutes when, from a penalty kicked to touch, the catch and drive was superb as they drove some 20 metres down field with fine ball retention releasing Rich O’Donnell for his first try for the club, Robbie Searle adding the extras, who slotted a penalty a couple of minutes later.

Unfortunately for O’Donnell, it would be his final action of the game as he would be replaced shortly afterwards with an injury and on came the returning Oli King, back in the first XV for the first time in five years.

A rather messy lineout allowed Andover the close the gap to just five points late in the first half when Tom Erskine waltzed through the gap in the Totts defence, improved by Ryan.

This didn’t deter the visitors though as they came straight back onto the attack but play was held up for a period as Dylan Kirk and Andover’s Callum Barber-Starkey clashed heads and both needed attention – for the latter, it was be his last play as he was replaced while Kirk was firmly bandaged up.

Totts closed the half with a third try to re-engage the ten point lead when a high tackle penalty was kicked to touch and a clever move at the front of the line left Charlie Quinn in space.  He went close but the ball came out and Player of the Match Tom Gregory went over to open up a 20-10 half-time advantage.

With Andover playing down the slope in the second half, there was always that danger of the hosts knowing their conditions but good play from the visitors kept their visits to their 22 at a premium.

Some good ball retention released Tully into the corner for the bonus point clinching try – Totts’ seventh in eight games – after 55 minutes and it was all Tottonians as Andover tired – the visitors once again showing the value of their fitness training.

On 63 minutes was probably the try of the game when some lovely play from Robbie Searle passed outside to Josh Andrews, who in turn returned the ball to the veteran fly-half on the inside and he hauled his way to the line, surrounded by Hampshire All Black defenders which didn’t stop him from getting the touchdown – which he converted.

A quickly taken tap penalty was taken some 30 metres by Connor Andrews, putting Tottonians deep back in Andover territory once again and some safe handling released King to drive over for a much celebrated try.

As the clock ticked down, Andover finally broke into the Totts’ 22 and got a consolation try back, their second of the game, but Josh Andrews’ score with the last move of the game gave the away side a fourth score up the hill and seventh overall to cap off another impressive performance, tying up the 44-15 win.

TOTTONIANS POINT SCORERS:
2 tries – Tom Tully (sponsored by Brewpack Ltd)
1 try – Rich O’Donnell (sponsored by Causeway Motors)
1 try – Tom Gregory (available to sponsor)
1 try – Robbie Searle (available to sponsor)
1 try – Oli King (available to sponsor)
1 try – Josh Andrews (sponsored by 6 Barrels, Totton)
3 conversions, 1 penalty – Robbie Searle (available to sponsor)

Hear what coach Phil Osman and Player of the Match Tom Gregory had to say at full-time in our exclusive post match video.

Oli King played his first 1st XV match in five years – and got on the scoreboard (as well as receiving a yellow card!).  Hear what it meant to him …