Bournemouth – Preview

Played 2, won 2 and ten points collected thus far – the league season is progressing nicely but we welcome a new challenge in the shape of one of our nearest league neighbours, Bournemouth.

MATCH: Tottonians v Bournemouth
VENUE: Water Lane, Totton, SO30 4ZX
COMPETITION: Regional Division 2 South Central
DATE: Saturday 21st September 2024
KICK-OFF: 3:00pm
ADMISSION: FREE (as always!)
LIVE MATCH UPDATES: On our Twitter/X channel @Tottonians

OVERVIEW:
It is only 26 miles from Water Lane to Chapel Gate, the home of Bournemouth RFC.  But we have never met in any league competition.  For years, we were separated by the ‘wall’ that was London Division and South-West Division – in fact, last season, Wimborne were the first side we had ever played in a league game from Dorset.

Following their relegation from Regional 1 South Central last season, they have slipped into Level 6 for the first time in a number of years having reached the heady heights of National League rugby when the pandemic hit and relegation from National 2 South was applied.

Former Hampshire Cup champions in 1974 (beat Trojans 16-3 when the town of Bournemouth was still in Hampshire where it had been since before the Doomsday Book of 1086!), Bournemouth moved in that year to Dorset in the Local Government Act of 1972 and, because they were in Dorset & Wilts RFU, played in the South West region when the leagues commenced in 1987 and were in South West 1 (when Totts were in Hampshire 1).

Bournemouth are the 97th different club we have met in league rugby and just the second from Dorset.  The black and reds have started the season with a defeat to Farnham and a home win over Chobham so sit squarely in the middle of the table in 6th.

TEAM NEWS:
Once again, the team shows a number of changes with George Hixon making his first start of the season at full-back, Jamie Laing moves into the second in place of the unavailable Josh Andrews and Robbie Searle returns at fly-half.

The pack remains unchanged with Callum Turvey holding his place in the second row with Ali Ramus.

HISTORY and STATS:
As mentioned, this is the first ever league meeting between the sides but, a victory on Saturday for Tottonians will mark our 400th league success since the first in 1987.

Our record as it stands is 666 games played (thankfully we saw off the devil last weekend!), won 399, drawn 14 and lost 253.

Since the return of rugby following the enforced break in 2020, Tottonians have played 32 and won 29 at Water Lane, our only defeats coming against to Marlborough, Winchester and Jersey RFC.