Tottonians 43 Chobham 17 – Pics/report
TOTTONIANS 43 CHOBHAM 17
Water Lane
Saturday 7th September 2024
Regional 2 South Central – match 1
Tottonians got their league season off to the perfect start with a six-try showing which, albeit after just one game, puts them top of the fledgling league table.
The rugby season weather certainly arrived in earnest as the torrential rain welcomed the players onto the field but it was the home side that got used to conditions quickest, roaring into a 17-0 lead with less than 14 minutes on the clock.
Skipper Liam Murphy put his side on the board after just five minutes. Some excellent passing and some clever play in midfield released the hooker to race through for the opening score, which was improved by Ethan Riley, playing in his 50th first XV game for the club.
Riley made no mistake from the tee four minutes later when Chobham were penalised in midfield and the fly-half slotted the comfortable penalty.
And things got better for Totts when Leo Tongue was on the end of another impressive move which mixed forwards and backs and the winger sped around the outside to touchdown, again Riley improving the score with the conversion.
However, maybe Tottonians were finding life a little too easy and Chobham took advantage of an errant pass across the back line to slip in and steal for an interception score next to the posts through Andrew Sadler to cut the arrears to ten points before the quarter-mark of the first half.
This score galvanised the Surrey visitors, playing at Water Lane for the first time in three seasons, and Tottonians were helping them by conceding a plethora of penalties, which disappointed the coaches.
Thankfully though, it didn’t cost the home side as they held firm in defence and it was Murphy on the stroke of half-time that pushed the interval scoreline to 22-7 when he was on the end of a driving maul to the line.
The second period did not start well for the green, black and whites as it was only three minutes old when Josh Andrews received a yellow card and this allowed some space for Chobham for Ieuan Woods and Aran Parsons to cross, the latter following a chip through which he won the race to the touchdown wide out.
Three tries apiece and just five points separating the sides, the game could have gone either way.
With the rain continuing to fall, the visitors were visibly fading and Totts took advantage. Kevin Raqio, on his return to the side, drove over from a line-out drive for the bonus point score which was superbly converted by Riley and then veteran Robbie Searle zipped through the gap in the Chobham defensive line to put the game beyond doubt.
Winger Dylan Kirk added Totts’ sixth of the afternoon, leaving his cover for dust on the outside and Riley cracked over his fifth conversion for a personal tally of 13 points to the cause.
There was still time for Searle to collect the sides’ second yellow card and he limped off – maybe a little relieved for an earlier end to his endeavours!
Director of Rugby Phil Osman and Head Coach Tim Osman was happy enough with the performance although disappointed with the penalty count. “We were a little over eager at times which has given us plenty to work on but, overall, our set piece was pretty effective.
“They came back at us in the third quarter but, maybe with fitness and good rotation, we got through and were deserved winners.”
Hear what coaches Phil and Tim Osman had to say about the game ….
