‘OVERS’ WIN ONCE AGAIN IN ANNUAL CLASH

by Richard Isaacs | Dec 27, 2025 | Senior Rugby

It was another triumphant afternoon for the Overs, who crossed eight times to defeat a gallant Unders outfit who gave their opponents a significant scare in the second half but couldn’t get pull off the win on a superb day of rugby at Water Lane.

OVERS 46 UNDERS 31
Water Lane, Totton
Saturday 27th December 2025
Paul Searle Trophy

The Unders were on something of a revenge mission this year having been heavily defeated 47-10 in the 2024 edition, calling for reinforcements this time around and they delivered in part but the wily ‘veterans’ showed their class in the end to keep the youngsters at arms length once more.

It was the Unders who got the scoreboard ticking as Connor Andrews crossed for the opening score after just five minutes. A searing break from the returning Ben Griffin, a Tottonians mini, junior and colt now plying his trade superbly for Havant in the National Leagues found Dylan Kirk and his basketball style pass to Andrews allowed him to saunter over the line.

That was as good as it got in the first half for the young bucks though as the old Buck levelled the scores just three minutes later – Rich powering his way over and Ali Ramus drop kicking the successful conversion. Bournemouth’s Ryan Morrell used his pace out wide to further their advantage before Dalton Thomas, another player returning to the club, proved too quick for the youngsters as he went over for the Overs’ third try.

Morrell added a second, once again showing his intuition and guile to score and then Bond Carter carried a number of defenders over the line with him to seal off the first half with his side 27-5 to the good.

Tom Gregory’s arrival on the scene for the Overs added more depth to their squad and it took him just six minutes to further their lead when he drove over the line and added the conversion drop kick as well and the game looked to be out of sight for the Unders.

Not so! Under the excellent tutelage of their injured captain-turned-coach Alex Robinson, he rolled the dice and his charges responded with three tries in the space of four minutes to put the Overs on notice.

First it was Callum Turvey’s 65 metre run to the line as he found himself in plenty of space to outrun the pacey defenders coming across – Finn Goodridge adding the extras and then Leo Tongue couldn’t go without scoring in a game and he made no mistake here either as he wove a path under the posts to add another seven points to the tally.

And when Chris McCormack rounded off a superb move to post another seven to the Unders score, there was suddenly just eight points in it at 26-34 and it was game on!

Mike Green settled some nerves in the Overs camp when he drove over from close range but the Unders were not done when Liam Mouland sauntered over the line but in his haste to get the game restarted, almost forgot to take the conversion but attempted it from the half way line!

The Overs ensured there was no late drama though when Gregory added a second just before the final whistle which was converted by Ali Ramus’ son Ellery, ensuring both father and son got on the scoresheet.

It was a sign of the day that four father and son pairings played on the day – the Ramus’, Mark and Reed Amey, Mike and Charlie Green as well as Stephen and Charlie Hildon in the 46-strong playing group with an average age of just 28. From the youngest at 17 to the oldest at ‘undisclosed’ – it was an across the club joy to behold and with plenty in support – it was everything that Tottonians is about.

Thank you to everyone who took part, to the captains for organising their teams, to Fiona for sorting the kit, to the hard working bar staff throughout the day and to all of the Tottonians family.

‘OVERS’ POINT SCORERS:
2 tries – Ryan Morrall
2 tries – Tom Gregory (sponsored by 6 Barrels, Totton)
1 try – Rich Buck (sponsored by M J G Electrical)
1 try – Dalton Thomas
1 try – Bond Carter (sponsored by Brewpack)
1 try – Mike Green
1 conversion – Ali Ramus
1 conversion – Tom Gregory (sponsored by 6 Barrels, Totton)
1 conversion – Ellery Ramus

‘UNDERS’ POINT SCORERS:
1 try – Connor Andrews (sponsored by Ramus Seafood)
1 try – Callum Turvey (sponsored by Pete Belasco Joinery)
1 try – Leo Tongue (sponsored by New Forest Architectural Services)
1 try – Chris McCormack
1 try – Liam Mouland
1 conversion – Finn Goodridge
1 conversion – Chris McCormack
1 conversion – Leo Tongue (sponsored by New Forest Architectural Services)