Tottonians 20 Wimborne 17 – Report

Tottonians left it very late to finally get over the line against a dogged Wimborne side, finally getting over the line 20-17 despite another indifferent performance.

TOTTONIANS 20 WIMBORNE 17
Water Lane, Totton
Saturday 18th January 2025
Regional 2 South Central – match 14

Totts made a mess of receiving the kick-off and the ball was pounced on by the visitors who made good ground before being awarded a penalty directly in front of the posts after a minute of play.  The kick was missed and this was to prove costly come the end of the game.

For the next 20 minutes the two sides went at it unrelentingly with Wimborne having the lions share of possession.  Totts gave away a couple of penalties to give the opposition field position and after a number of phases in Totts’ 22 the away side went over for a converted try under the posts.  0-7.

From the kick off Totts finally put together some error free rugby and were awarded a penalty for hands in the ruck.  Robbie Searle converted for 3-7 after 25 minutes.

Totts looked dangerous at times but constant hadling errors and ruck turnovers meant neither side troubled the scoreboard further when play reached half-time.

Totts started the second half with a concerted period of pressure and spurned three eminently kickable penalty shots, different players opting to tap and go which all resulted in being turned over and Wimborne clearing their lines.

After 18 minutes, Totts gave away a penalty for holding on in the opposition half.  Wimborne ran the ball and the move looked to have fizzled out but the ball was chiped into Totts’ 22, an awkward bounce wrong footed the home defence and the visitors winger was first to the ball and he streaked in for a converted try.  3-14.

Totts responded well and were awarded yet another penalty in front of the posts, the ball was run again and the carrier was stripped and the ball was cleared deep into the home sides half.  Tom Tully received possession and a fine run carried him to the 22.  Nic Jansen picked up at the ruck and drove towards the line before offloading to Jonny Lovell who crashed over under the sticks for Robbie Searle to convert.  10-14 with 12 minutes remaining.

From the kick off Totts continued to attach and were awarded a penalty when Harry Dolbear was tackled at the back of a ruck.  Searle converted – 13-14.

Shortly after the restart, Wimborne slotted a 30 metre penalty to increase their lead to 14-17.

With five minutes left, Kev Raqio broke some tackles before offloading to Leo Tongue who made a great run before passing to Ethan Riley.  He was tackled just short of the line and Liam Murphy picked up from the ruck and dived over.  Searle converted from out wide to give Totts the lead for the first time 20-17.

With a minute to go, Totts spurned another penalty kick in front of the posts in favour of a scrum.  Totts got close to Wimborne’s line before knocking on.  The ball was picked up by the visitors and passed along the line before the winger was dragged into touch on the halfway line bringing a sigh of relief from the players and supporters alike.

A very rusty performance from Totts with strange options being taken at time but doing well to pull the game out of the fire.

TOTTONIANS POINT SCORERS:
1 try – Jonny Lovell (available to sponsor)
1 try – Liam Murphy (sponsored by Osman Originals)
2 conversions – Robbie Searle (sponsored by R&M Electrical)
2 penalties – Robbie Searle (sponsored by R&M Electrical)