Exciting Tottonians Colts go six from six too!

Whilst there is a significant buzz rolling around Tottonians on Saturday’s with the senior sides climbing their respective tables, there is also some major goings on in the Colts, as they recorded a sixth straight victory with a hard-fought 29-19 success over Farnham on Sunday.

Currently joint top of Hampshire Colts League Division 2 with a perfect three from three record having beaten Fordingbridge, Gosport & Fareham and Romsey, they have added friendly wins over Portsmouth, Petersfield and Sunday’s success to their mantlepiece.

Regularly fielding squads of 22 plus, players are having to perform in training to keep their place in the side, such is the strong competition from a talented group under the tutelage of Youth Director of Rugby Louis Brencher and Colts Head Coach Stephen Hildon.

And selection, much like it is across the senior Saturday teams, is proving to be quite a headache for the coaches with the players continually putting on excellent performances to make it quite the task to perm down 30 plus to a playing 22.

But is it a problem that Louis and Hilly are enjoying because it shows the quality of the players they have at hand, with six of them being selected for Hampshire county honours at Under 18 and Under 17 level.

Totts captain Hugh Morris, prop Tyler Bungey and wing Charlie Thresher will be wearing the Rose and Crown for the Under 18s matches coming up before Christmas, having excelled at the trial sessions at Havant.

They will be joined by prop Austin Chester – a third generation Tottonian following grandfather Steve and father Lee – utility forward George Havelock and the pacy Reuben White, who will be taking their places in the Under 17s squad in the New Year and for matches at the back end of the season.

It is a huge feather in the Tottonians cap, having developed the vast majority of the squad but also attracted players from nearby and given them a home with excellent coaching and facilities to nurture their pathway in the game.

The tight-knit nature of the squad shines through as they work hard to develop their games and the rewards have been palpable with some excellent performances and subsequently results which has pleased everyone in the club.

But the feet are being kept firmly on the ground with Louis remarking in the interview below, “we haven’t put in a 10 out of 10 performance yet,” while Hilly commented “there are still a few things we need to work on and we have talked to the lads about that.”

However, they were definitely pleased with the result at Farnham and how the season is shaping up and skipper Morris, who spoke superbly at the final whistle, was equally delighted and said “there are so many good players out there and we are really building a strong team right now.”

The next game, on Sunday 22nd November, will show just how far this group has come as they host unbeaten Division One Colts powerhouses Trojans (2pm kick-off) but, having already defeated two top flight sides, this will be a challenge that the team is looking forward to.

There is much to be excited about in this squad.  The six County selected youngsters amongst a wide range of top class talent in both forwards and backs that are being put through their paces excellently by the experienced heads of Louis and Hilly – can this group emulate the teams of the past?

Undoubtedly, there is no reason why not.

TOTTONIANS COLTS POINT SCORERS:
Tries: Hugh Morris, Austin Chester, Ollie Johnson, Ollie Mills, Kai Morton
Conversions: Sid Tipp, Ollie Turvey

YOUTH DoR LOUIS BRENCHER and HEAD COACH STEPHEN HILDON ARE JOINED BY SKIPPER HUGH MORRIS TO DISCUSS THE GAME, THE SEASON and COUNTY SELECTION

Here are a selection of Richard’s pictures from the Farnham game.