Chippenham 38 Tottonians 48 – report

by Richard Isaacs | Apr 12, 2025 | Senior Rugby

Tottonians defied the odds to down Chippenham, a strong Regional 2 Severn runners-up outfit, to progress to the two-legged quarter-finals of the Regional 2 Championship competition as we ran in seven tries and saw many players excelling.

CHIPPENHAM 38 TOTTONIANS 48
Allington Field, Chippenham
Saturday 12th April 2025
Papa John’s Cup Regional 2 Championship – Round 1

It would be fair to say that the Papa John’s Men’s Community Cup is a much maligned competition.

Now in its third season, few remember the defeat to Letchworth Garden City, a home walk over from Hammersmith & Fulham, the away walk over for Horsham or the home loss to Thornbury in the previous campaigns.

However, with a day out at Twickenham as the reward in the Final, both sides in this contest in Wiltshire put on an end-to-end encounter and the gathered crowd were treated to a display of free-flowing cup rugby that resulted in a total of 13 tries and 86 points!

The early play was all Tottonians, spending much of the opening quarter deep in Chippenham’s 22. An early chance was squandered but the hosts were playing some fast, pulsating rugby and testing the home sides’ defence.

Totts were not to be denied on seven minutes when, after Chippenham were penalised for a high tackle, a kick to touch and catch and drive from Charlie Quinn’s take saw skipper Liam Murphy peel off the back and drive over from close range. George Hixon, playing at fly-half for the first time in the 1st XV, slotted the extras.

The visitors continued to produce some penetrative running at the Chippenham defence but they finally broke the shackles.

After a handful of attacking shots fired by the hosts, Totts were penalised for offside and Chippenham took it quickly, utilising the space on the right and pass to the winger who sped through unopposed, despite the hint of a forward pass.

Having allowed Chippenham back into the contest, Tottonians dominiated the second quarter, aided on 24 minutes by the first of two yellow cards for the Regional 2 Severn outfit – this time for killing the ball.

And they would take full advantage of the numbers mismatch with the forwards taking centre stage. From the line-out, the pack mauled forwards, controlled by the excellent Cam Flint at the back and it was his fellow prop Bruno Nascimbene who rumbled over the line for Totts’ second. Hixon added the two.

The third came just moments later. From the restart, Connor Andrews burst to half-way and the break was continued before Josh Raqio’s brilliant pick-up found space in front of him and he weaved his way to the five metre line where Harry Dolbear was on hand to take the pass and curve around the outside to score – one of the tries of the season.

They would go into half-time 19-5 to the good and it was an impressive performance from the much changed side.

The second half was even more end-to-end and it was Chippenham who closed the gap just two minutes into the period, scoring a try from a forwards drive but Totts would regain their cushion almost immediately.

As Chippenham attempted to run out from the restart, they would cough up the ball and Totts would crash forward. As it came out, Hixon, having a player-of-the-match winning performance at fly-half, chipped ahead and with the fortutitous bounce off the 4G surface, Dolbear would sweep through and score and the provider added the conversion.

But back came the hosts who would post a converted score – the third try in the space of six second-half minutes moving the score to 19-26.

This fascinating contest continued with a fourth score of the half on the 50 minute mark. Once again, the intelligent running from Totts was causing Chippenham plenty of problems. The ball was spread out wide to Leo Tongue, who kicked inside and Josh Raqio won the foot race to the try line, courtesy of another helpful bounce.

Chippenham would be reduced to 14 once again on the hour mark and Hixon added a crucial penalty which stretched the lead beyond two scores.

The home side were not to be outdone though as they cut the arrears to ten points with their fifth try of the day with 17 minutes remaining – setting up a thrilling finale.

Chippenham’s penalty count was playing against them and, with Totts dominiating in the scrums and in the rucks and mauls, it was another penalty concession and kick to touch that allowed a catch and drive and the returning Craig Durnin, back from his sojourn with Havant, that would see him go over.

The home side would respond yet again with their sixth try almost immediately but the game was sealed with just three minutes left and it came from yet another penalty conceded by the hosts and another kick to touch, which was well gathered in the line-out and Totts rumbled forward to the line, this time Alfie Filmore being the beneficiary and getting over the line.

With a 17-point lead at 31-48, it allowed Totts to empty their bench and give a first cap to long-standing player Tom Dando and rare appearances for Simon Williams, Mark Amey, Ryan Martin and Will Machin.

Chippenham did add another try to their tally but it was too little, too late and it was Tottonians who booked their place in the Regional 2 Championship quarter-finals and a two-legged contest with Exeter-based South-West champions Topsham on 26th April (home) and 3rd May (away).

The Papa John’s Cup is a much maligned competition – but Totts are just three games away from a remarkable day out at Twickenham!

TOTTONIANS POINT SCORERS:
2 tries – Harry Dolbear (sponsored by W J French & Sons)
1 try – Liam Murphy (sponsored by Osman Originals)
1 try – Bruno Nascimbene (sponsored by Mildren Construction)
1 try – Josh Raqio (sponsored by MJG Mechanical & Electrical)
1 try – Craig Durnin
1 try – Alfie Filmore
5 conversions – George Hixon
1 penalty – George Hixon

PLAYER OF THE MATCH GEORGE HIXON and COACH PHIL OSMAN REVIEW THE GAME