Totts 2s 48 Aldershot & Fleet 5 – report
Storm Bert hit with some force on Saturday but it didn’t stop Tottonians 2s getting back to winning ways with a highly professional performance in atrocious conditions in defeating third placed Aldershot & Fleet 48-5 at a saturated Water Lane.
TOTTONIANS 2s 48 ALDERSHOT & FLEET 5
Water Lane, Totton
Saturday 23rd November 2024
Counties 3 Hampshire – match 7
This was never going to be an easy fixture for the side fresh off their first defeat of the season, taking on an Aldershot and Fleet side in third place and looking to take a giant stride towards their own promotion goal. However, it was made that much harder by the gale force winds and driving rain that crashed through the aptly-named Water Lane and across the country.
Much to the credit of the groundstaff, the pitch looked in superb order and, whilst naturally soft, held up well which allowed both sides to play as expansive a game as the conditions permitted.
Totts played with the wind at their backs in the first half and it didn’t take them long to get their scoring off and running. A very clever kick by Will Machin from inside his own half was perfectly weighte to held up short of the Aldershot line and the sliding defender took it into touch. From the line-out, Totts drove over with prop forward Simon Williams claiming the score with Rich Colmer adding the extras.
He would add a penalty on 16 minutes following a terrific tackle from Alex Robinson in the centre, which saw the ball turned over and the visitors were penalised shortly afterwards, which Colmer gratefully accepted.
The hosts second score came on the hour when a colossal 50-22 from deep within their own half on the wind took the ball deep into Aldershot territory. The visitors were caught off side and, from the tap penalty, flanker Bond Carter powered over the line to put the home side in command.
It could have been even better just before the interval when Colmer’s incisive break and some good hands, particularly so in the heavy rain, released Machin but he unfortunately fumbled the ball over the line.
Playing against the conditions in the second half, Tottonians kept their opponents penned in their own territory for much of the time and they posted a third try of the afternoon when full-back Rob Thomas joined the line and sauntered over the whitewash.
The bonus point was duly collected on 66 minutes when Alex Robinson powered over and when Alfie Glover took full advantage of some great work in the back line on the left. Colmer’s conversion into the swirling wind was a masterstroke and eased the hosts into a 34-0 lead as darkness descended.
But give credit to the visitors, who certainly didn’t give up and their hard work was finally rewarded when they went over for a consolation try nine minutes from time.
There was still time for Totts to extend their winning margin, firstly when the returning Alfie Filmore was on the end of more good hands, which was a considerable feather in the cap for Louis Brencher’s side as they continued to largely be firm with ball in hand.
That was never more evident than with the final score of the game, the silky handling through the side with the ball being switched left and right was taken on by Robinson who could have taken the score himself but unselfishly flicked to Colmer to go over and convert for a personal haul of 18 points to extend his club wide lead in the point scorers tally.
It was a very impressive performance and holds the side in good stead ahead of their final two games before Christmas – away at Romsey and then facing Ventnor a week later. If this showing is anything to go by, they will be firmly in the mix at the end of the campaign.
TOTTONIANS POINT SCORERS:
1 try – Simon Williams (available to sponsor)
1 try – Bond Carter (available to sponsor)
1 try – Rob Thomas (available to sponsor)
1 try – Alex Robinson (sponsored by ‘The Hot Totties’)
1 try – Alfie Glover (sponsored by Westwood Building)
1 try – Alfie Filmore (available to sponsor)
1 try – Rich Colmer (available to sponsor)
5 conversions – Rich Colmer (available to sponsor)
1 penalty – Rich Colmer (available to sponsor)
Hear what player of the match Rich Colmer had to say at full-time in our exclusive post match video.
Colmer was Player of the Match today for kicking five conversions and a penalty as well as scoring a try. Given the way the posts were swaying in the Storm-force winds, he deserved the accolade!
