Totts 3s 59 Christchurch 12 – report
In a friendly at Water Lane in front of a decent crowd, a Tottonians 3rd XV put on a show against a rebuilding Christchurch side, scoring nine tries in a competitive contest which was enjoyed by all.
TOTTONIANS 3rd XV 59 CHRISTCHURCH 12
Water Lane, Totton
Saturday 15th March 2025
Friendly match
This was a fun, enjoyable game of rugby between a mixed Tottonians 3rd XV with a wide range of ages against Christchurch, forced to withdraw from Counties 3 Hampshire but beginning to rebuild their player stocks.
As it proved, Stephen Hildon’s side were too strong, almost scoring at will in the first half before multiple changes to the sides – with some of the Tottonians players switching to the opposition – curtailed the scoring.
It didn’t take long for the hosts to get the scoreboard ticking over when Ryan Martin pierced through the Christchurch defence and dot down for the opening score, Jonny Williams added the extras.
The latter was influential in the second just a few minutes later as his incisive break set up good field position and, when the visitors conceded a penalty five metres out, scrum-half James Stubbington took it quickly and easily found a gap in the line to touch down.
Christchurch did hit back and came close on a couple of occasions to breaking the Tottonians resilience but their own indescretions cost them and, as it was, dearly too.
Player of the match Dave Brandes, back playing again after an absence of nearly 14 years – he last played against Bognor in April 2011 – showed he had lost none of his skill as he was active all over the pitch and barged over for a try midway through the half. Williams made no mistake from the tee for Totts eased into a 21-0 lead.
Some excellent interplay between Williams and Martin left the Dorset side chasing shadows as the former broke through the ranks and skipped over the line for the fourth try of the afternoon.
And when youngster Justin Pidgley showed a clean pair of heels as he was released shortly after the restart to go in under the posts and prop James Neale crunched his way over the line following a superb break from Seb Davis Smith that took his side close, Totts were 40-0 to the good with five minutes remaining in the first half.
But the visitors didn’t give up – far from it – and their hard work was rewarded when they crossed in the corner with the final move of the period.
Winger Will Machin was the next to get on the scorecard as he drove through the midfield to score the seventh try of the afternoon and the half-century was brought up shortly afterwards was a clever move released the Tottonians winger to score with ease – and Tom Gregory, returning to the field after a month out drop kicked the conversion, much to the delight of the crowd!
The rest of the game saw a lot of changes – including at one point a full 15 of forwards on the Tottonians side, which featured nine props and two hookers!
This did allow Christchurch to outpace their defence and score a second try but Dicky Pye, one of the original backs raced around the outside and scored the final try of the afternoon before Rhys Bowen, aided by Gregory holding the ball on the tee for him, kicked a beautifully struck conversion … again, to plentiful cheers from the watching galleries.
But, whilst the result was 59-12, it was more about getting players on the park, especially following the hugely disappointing decision by Hampshire RFU not to provide any further league competition after mid-February for the Hampshire Premiership division clubs at the lowest level.
And some 26 players from Tottonians and a good mix from Christchurch, aided by players from Fawley, New Milton and some of ours willing to throw on the shirt – Stephen Hildon being one, who actually kept the score down with some crunching tackles on his Tottonians team-mates while wearing the blue shirt – made for an entertaining afternoon of rugby.
It really was a terrific afternoon, played in exactly the right spirit. That is what 3rd XV at this level is all about.
