TOTTS BACK TO WINNING WAYS

by Richard Isaacs | Oct 26, 2025 | Senior Rugby

Tottonians got back to winning ways in clinical fashion, shutting out Chobham 36-0 at a ‘four-seasons-in-one-day’ Saturday at Water Lane.

TOTTONIANS 36 CHOBHAM 0
Water Lane, Totton
Saturday 25th October 2025
Regional 2 South Central – match 7

Tottonians put their three-game losing streak to bed, with a resounding bonus point win over an injury-hit Chobham. Totts certainly enjoyed their home comforts, with a far-more solid 80 minutes than they have shown so far this season, and the entertained crowd left with the feeling that there should be more to come.

In the starting line-up, Bruno Nascimbene replaced Tom Gregory at tight-head, Jake Grimes replaced Leo Tongue on the left-wing for his first appearance of the season, and Ethan Riley moved into the 10 shirt.

Having finished the warm-up knowing they would be playing into a first-half breeze, Totts were surprised to come out of the changing rooms to a stronger wind and significant showers. Undeterred, they stayed patient despite a couple of kicks allowing Chobham easy counter-attacks, and with outstanding defence stopping Chobham’s attacks at source and Riley starting to pull the strings with his kicking game, Totts eventually gained the field position they were after.

A couple of driving line-outs were somehow kept at bay, but eventually a five-metre scrum lead to a short pass to Alex Robinson to score for the third match running.

Despite still playing into the conditions, 7-0 felt a little under-par considering how well Totts had dealt with the Chobham attacks, but they had to wait until the 40th minute to increase their lead. But when it came, it was probably from the most unlikeliest of sources; a disrupted Chobham scrum, five metres from their own line squirted out the side, Harry Dolbear pounced but was held up just short, and who should squeeze over the last 20cms for his customary one try of the season, but Charles Quinn!

Yet the half-time celebrations of this momentous occasion had to wait as there was still time for the re-start. Dan Williams had been dealing with these superbly, but this one was actually knocked on by Chobham, before Riley cleared and Chobham tried one more attack. They were then forced backwards by more excellent Totts defence, with skipper Liam Murphy and Scott Rogers leading the charge, before a crossing penalty on halfway allowed Riley to set up a lineout in Chobham’s 22.

A couple of phases later and an infringement at the breakdown in front of the posts allowed Riley to knock over the pen and send Totts in with a 17-0 half-time lead.

If there was satisfaction amongst the crowd at this stage, there was also some annoyance as the teams emerged for the second stanza, as the wind had dropped and the sun shone. Nevertheless, the more pragmatic approach from Totts continued, clearing their lines and playing in the right areas, highlighted by a sumptuous 50-22 from Riley. And on 49 minutes came a try that was likely to be the highlight for the Totts coaches, not through any particular brilliance, more due to the patience shown by the entire team to break down Chobham’s defence.

It actually began with on overthrown Chobham lineout on their own 10 metre line, Murphy collecting and feeding Dylan Kirk to set up the first ruck. What followed was 16 phases of really professional play against a solid defence, but the varied attack kept the ball under control.

Pick and go’s from Rogers and Connor Andrews, short lines from Nascimbene and Robinson amongst others, all the while Dolbear and Riley waiting for the right time to go wide. And when it came, it was Max Russell on the receiving end to dot down for his first of the season.

The satisfaction was evident, and it only remained to go and collect the try-bonus point. When it came there was a slight element of fortune to it as a backs move was halted by a Chobham hand but Alex Bolter-Jackson picked up smartly and fed fellow winger Grimes wide out on his opposite wing and he finished well.

The match remained competitive, Chobham kept attacking, determined to break their duck, but Totts defensive excellence continued. Rich Colmer came on at fullback for his first appearance of the season, and on 78 minutes he collected an overhit clearance on his own 10 metre line and fed Bolter-Jackson in space. He was able to get outside his man and feed Dylan Kirk who brilliantly beat the last defender to notch his second of the season. Riley’s conversion made it 36-0.

So, more patient, more pragmatic, more professional….. hopefully more of the same, which will surely be required on our next outing at Wimborne.

TOTTONIANS POINT SCORERS:
1 try – Alex Robinson (sponsored by The Hot Totties)
1 tryt – Charlie Quinn (sponsored by The T.O.F.S.)
1 try – Alex Bolter-Jackson
1 try – Dylan Kirk
1 try – Jake Grimes (sponsored by A A Bees)
4 conversions – Ethan Riley (sponsored by Lord Michael & Lady Katie)
1 penaltys – Ethan Riley (sponsored by Lord Michael & Lady Katie)

TRY SCORER CHARLIE QUINN and PLAYER of the MATCH ETHAN RILEY REVIEW THE GAME