Guildford 17 Tottonians 17 – report

Tottonians produced one of their worst performances for some time to allow second bottom Guildford a share of the spoils with the final kick of the game and condemn the visitors to a fourth straight winless game on the road.

GUILDFORD 17 TOTTONIANS 17
Broadwater Pavilion, Godalming
Saturday 8th February 2025
Regional 2 South Central – match 17

On a ground where Tottonians have their worst away record of all the teams they have played five times or more in the league (one win from the previous nine visits), hopes were high pre-match, given that that particular bogey was laid to rest last season and the hosts were shorn of players due to injuries and visits to Twickenham.

What transpired was a determined, solid performance from the home side battling for their survival in the league whilst the visitors struggled to gain any kind of rhythm or fluidity to their play, resulting in multiple handling errors, turn overs and, in the frustration of the contest, three yellow cards.

On a good pitch, still showing some grass but with the rain steady, Guildford lost their scrum-half Ieuan Jones within the first minute to a hamstring injury as he attempted a high kick following a quickly taken line-out but this seemed to galvanise the side in blue who defended with some aplomb.

The early play belonged to Tottonians, who attempted to hit the Guildford line with some swift handling moves but a knock-on from number eight Oli King relieved the pressure and then, as Totts came again, a forward pass gave the home side the ball once more.

Tottonians did finally break the Guildford resistance on 15 minutes when, from an initial Harry Dolbear snap at the base of the ruck, it set up a couple of pick-and-goes from which Cam Flint piled over the line for his sixth try of the season, and Robbie Searle added the easy extras from the tee.

However, that would be as good as it got for them in the first half as Guildford, stung by the concession, mounted a number of attacks with the fly-half Joe Gwyther in charge as his passes along the line to his back division runners, especially full-back Charlie Gibbons, started to cause Totts’ defence some problems.

This, coupled with some poor kicking out of their own 22 not finding touch. too regular knock-ons and the frequent concessions of penalties when they did come forward, were giving Guildford plenty of opportunities.

Their task was made easier when Rich O’Donnell was sinbinned midway through the first half and it didn’t take Guildford long to make it count when, from a line-0ut catch and drive that took them to within five metres of the line, the ball was spread wide to the left where second-row Josh Smith dropped over for the score out wide.

Guildford’s incisive running in midfield were causing Tottonians all manner of issues, hugely belying their lowly league position and they came close to adding a second not long after, only for a knock-on to let them down.

Totts did mount one more chance on the Guildford line before the half was out.  A clever kick across field taking them to within five metres and winning the lineout but they were penalised as the ball came out from the ruck as they peppered the blue sides’ try line.

Half-time came with Totts 7-5 up and returned to the field with the words of their coaches ringing in their ears at their displeasure of the first 40 minutes.

Whatever was said at the break has some impact as Totts came out with some vigour although the handling errors continued to frustrate and it was Guildford who would come closest to breaking the second half deadlock when, from an interception, they sprinted forward, kicked ahead which Leo Tongue misjudged in defence and a simple collect of the ball would have seen them through for the lead.  The Guildford man couldn’t quite gather and knocked on.

Totts went back to the other end and some good movement saw them into the Guildford 22.  The hosts were caught off side and Searle took the chance to stretch the lead to 10-5 with a simple penalty.

Whilst Tottonians were creating chances, their failure to execute time and again were causing more frustration – either errant handling, misjudged passes or taking the ball into contact and the ball being turned over.

The visitors brought on Ali Ramus and Kevin Raqio on the hour to bring some experience to the pack but Totts were reduced to 14 men once more just a minute later.

With Totts on the attack in the Guildford 22, Totts knocked on, Guildford collected and let fly a kick which passed the visitors’ 10 metre line.  As Tongue sprinted back in defence, he fumbled and the on-rushing defender was stopped by the winger as he attempted to get to his feet – resulting in the second yellow card of the afternooon.

Although Totts did save the danger from the penalty, it was not long until Guildford levelled.  A superb break through midfield by Smith took his side to ten metres from the line and Oliver Millward being on hand to score their second of the afternoon to make it 10-10.

Guildford were reduced to 14 men and this gave the Totts pack some traction.  Tom Tully did cross the line after a scrum had pushed the hosts back some ten yards but it was called back and from the resulting scrum, replacement Ramus powered his way to the line under the posts to give Totts a valuable 17-10 lead with Searle adding the conversion.

As the light dropped, it was Guildford who were the most dangerous side with Totts looking to hold what they had for the final ten minutes, which would prove to be quite a task given the home side knocked on over the line but continued their solid offensive play as time ran out.

Totts were again reduced to 14 when Ramus became the third player to suffer the wrath of the referee.

With the final move of the game, Guildford were awarded a penalty which they kicked to touch.  From the resultant line-out, a good catch and drive caught Totts short and Joseph Garner was the man on the ground over the line.

The final kick of the game was left to Gwyther, who had missed his prevoius two conversion attempts but made no mistake this time to level the scores at 17-17 and take a fully deserved draw from the contest, which left Tottonians scratching their heads.

It was Tottonians’ first league draw for over five years, since closing 21-21 away at Old Reigatian in London 2 South-West in September 2019 and whilst it does move us back into third place (on more wins than Winchester), this will be seen a huge missed opportunity.

TOTTONIANS POINT SCORERS:
1 try – Cam Flint (sponsored by TCB Sports)
1 try – Ali Ramus
2 conversions and 1 penalty – Robbie Searle (sponsored by R&M Electrical)

COACH PHIL OSMAN and MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO REVIEW THE GUILDFORD DRAW

SKIPPER LIAM MURPHY GIVES HIS HONEST ASSESSMENT TO THE GUILDFORD DRAW