Vets go down in Sneezum Final

by Richard Isaacs | May 10, 2025 | Senior Rugby

It wasn’t to be back-to-back John Sneezum Veterans Cup final successes for Tottonians, going down 29-18 in a highly competitive contest in gloriously sunny conditions at North Walls.

WINCHESTER VETS 29 TOTTONIANS VETS 18
North Wales, Winchester
Saturday 10th May 2025
John Sneezum Hampshire RFU Veterans Cup – Final

In front of a packed crowd enjoying the early May warmth, Winchester got off to a flyer within the opening sixty seconds. A speculative kick ahead took a hugely fortuitous bounce off the desperately dry and heavily rutted surface and landed nicely for the home side winger to go over in the corner for the opening score.

Choosing the kicking game, Winchester were regularly pinning Tottonians back in their own half and they were quick to nullify the threat of the hugely experienced Mike Searle and Rich Buck in the centres when the men in green came forward.

The firm surface prevented the visitors from levelling the score on eight minutes when, from a line out on half way, Totts piled forward and Searle’s break and the ball found its way to winger Pete Grigg who raced through at pace but his chip ahead bounced out in goal, springing up off the arid ground.

Winchester’s veterans side – who largely play together as the “Knights” in the regular season Counties league – were showing plenty of game awareness. And, from a scrum on their own 22, they would add a second try midway through the first half, they spun the ball left and sprinting up the wing kicked ahead. Another handy bounce aided the cause and they would find their way over.

A Rich Colmer penalty would cut the arrears to 10-3 and it commenced a period to Totts pressure. A kick to the corner from a penalty set up a good attacking option and Mike Green’s charge for the line was halted by the post, spilling the ball in the process. Play did go back for a penalty but Colmer’s shot sailed wide.

Totts were also struggling to control the game and the referee’s wrath, so much so that Ali Ramus was the first to be sent to the sin-bin and questions to the official continued to be asked by the players.

Despite being down to 14 players, it was Totts who were next on the scoreboard. A long range kick was superbly chased by Grigg, zooming up the middle of the pitch with electric pace. He would tackle the Winchester man and turn to ball over allowing Oli Northover to spin through and score.

However, that cut in the lead wouldn’t last long as Winchester would score their third try of the afternoon and convert for a half-time lead of 17-8.

Cheered on by a sizable Tottonians travelling support, their side responded superbly in the early stages of the second half. A quickly taken tap penalty was moved through the hands, Searle making strides through the Winchester defence and with plenty of support on hand, initally from Buck, he found Elliot Green to drive his way over the line. Colmer converted and it was back to a two-point game at 17-15.

With fresh legs coming on regularly and water breaks needed often, the game resorted to a kicking contest with Winchester slotting two penalties before Colmer responded with one pulling the game back to one score.

However, another three pointer from the hosts, as yet again Totts bore the ire of the referee, and a rare drop goal sealed the contest for Winchester, winning the Veterans Cup for the first time and denying Tottonians back-to-back titles.

Naturally disappointed, the Totts players continued to celebrate a season well played though back at their own club … as Winchester’s bar shut at 5pm!

TOTTONIANS POINT SCORERS:
1 try – Oli Northover
1 try – Elliot Green
1 conversion – Rich Colmer
2 penalties – Rich Colmer

MANAGER BOB MILLARD and CAPTAIN RICH BUCK LOOK BACK AT THE GAME