‘Overs’ sink ‘Unders’ in 2024 annual clash

by Richard Isaacs | Dec 29, 2024 | Senior Rugby

Rich Buck’s Over 30s side put on a show in the annual inter-club spectacle, scoring nine tries past the Alex Robinson’s plucky Under 30s team in recording a 47-10 victory.

OVER 30s XV 47 UNDER 30s XV 10
Water Lane, Totton
Sunday 29th December 2024
For the Paul Searle Trophy

The game took a little while to get going as the two sides went through the gears and trying some very fleet-of-foot, Harlem Globetrottersesque moves to get the contest flowing – some came off and, well, some didn’t!

It wasn’t until the 15th minute of the first ‘third’ that the scoreboard was finally put to use when Jonny Lovell powered his way to the line for the Overs – and from that point onwards, the elder statesmen took control.

Prop Mark Amey was the next to find his way over the line a few minute later, burrowing his way to the whitewash and the lead was extended when Robbie Searle broke through the tackles and added the Overs’ third try of the afternoon.

The Unders were putting together some good moves but an interception cost them dearly when Pete Grigg was on hand to sweep up and showed a clean pair of heels to race the 50 metres under the posts for try number four.

The youngsters were not to be outdone though before the first segment was completed as Charlie Green sycthed around the outside on the left to go into the corner. None of the ‘drop kick’ conversions were completed so the sides turned around with the Overs up 20-5.

A geed-up Unders came out for the second period and took the game to the Overs and their endeavours were rewarded with Ryan Martin completing a nicely worked move to halve the arrears to 20-10.

However, that was as good as it got for Alex Robinson’s side and their youthful exuberance was no match to the guile and experience of the elders.

Mike Searle was the next on the scoresheet as he powered to the line, adding the only conversion of the day and then Tom Dando was on hand to complete a move wide out to take the scoreline to 32-10 at the second interval.

‘Nubby’ added a second as he found space to drive into and once again crossed under the posts before scrum-half Joe Jarvis and the returning second rower Luke Wilson put the cherry on the top of the Overs’ superb performance.

But does the result truly matter – maybe a little bit! This day, this game, as it always is, was to remember the ultimate Tottonian in Paul Searle with money and awareness being raised towards McMillan Cancer Support, the disease that took the great man from us.

An emotional Mike, Paul’s son, spoke in the clubhouse afterwards as the 300-strong attendance and over 50 players, young, old, male and female, came to enjoy this special day in the club calendar – before awarding the trophy to the Overs’ captain Rich Buck.