Hampshire were defeated 41-32 by county rugby powerhouse Cornwall in the final match of the Bill Beaumont County Championship Division 1 – but it didn’t matter to the throng of Tottonians players and supporters who had travelled to watch three current and two former players donning the Hampshire shirt.

Back-row Nic Jansen started, as he did against Kent at Charlton Park a fortnight ago, while Harry Dolbear and debutant Cameron Flint both took places on the bench and appeared within a few minutes of each other midway through the second half.  They were joined by former Tottonians junior and 1st XV player Ben Griffin, who made the switch to Havant last season and prop forward Stephen Jenkinson, who went the same way for the 2024/25 campaign.

They came together to give the Cornish a battle but it was the pride on the Tottonians supporters faces on the sidelines that shone through as, along with Connor Andrews, who was unavailable for the Cornwall game but played off the bench at Kent, six current or former players had stepped up into the Championship top table competition from the Regional 2 South Central outfit.

It was especially pleasing for Cam, on his county debut at any level, after years of hard graft in the Tottonians pack where his utility to be able to play in any position across the eight places has made him a key member of Liam Murphy’s team while 200-cap Tottonian Harry Dolbear added to his Hampshire cap collection once again.  Nic, who joined the club this season and has been outstanding throughout, took his Totts form in the county campaign while Connor performed superbly in the Kent defeat, backing up his brilliant season in the back row with the club.

The delight extended to Ben as well, despite his departure to play National League rugby with Havant, his rugby journey started with the Water Lane club aged just six while Stephen played 22 times for the club after joining in 2021 and would have played more but for his Army commitments.

Tottonians is beyond proud of Nic, Connor, Cam and Harry as well as Jenks and Ben too.  It shows just how far the club have come to be recognised so strongly in the senior county XV.

Cam, Nic and Harry with the gathered Tottonians supporters.

Hear what Cam, Harry and Nic had to say about the experience of playing for Hampshire against Cornwall today