Two much changed mid table London 1 South sides produced an entertaining (if not particularly high quality) 80+ point try fest on Saturday, as Tottonians edged London Cornish by 45-39 at Wimbledon RFC. The result lifted the Hampshire sides above the exiles into 7th place in the league with 1 round of action left. With points raining down at such a rate, it was all your correspondent could do to keep up with the action, so apologies if this report is short on detail but long on stats!
With the flooded pitches at the REMPF meaning the match had to be moved to Wimbledon RFC's Barham Road HQ, neither side knew quite what to expect from a pitch perspective, but the bottom pitch was selected, which was firm (apart from one patch of standing water) and wide. A plethora of changes too numerous to mention (the exiles ones were covered in the preview) meant that the 2 squads had had precious little prep time, though at least some of the Totts lads had come through their colts set up together. What followed was the type of match beloved by neutrals but likely to leave the respective coaching teams with sleepless nights, as defences went missing and the scoreboard was kept ticking from minute 18 to the final whistle.
Cornish opened playing towards Wimbledon Common on the warmest Saturday afternoon so far this year (and possibly the only dry one so far too.) The disjointed nature of the early exchanges saw both sides turn over plenty of ball, until on 17 minutes a George Kimmins break down the left was carried forward by Dan Phoenix and Matt Chambers, before Sam Williams hit open side Tom Ievers to spin through a tackle and drive to the line to the left of the posts, his Skipper making it a max. Totts struck straight back with a converted close range try of their own, before they were pinged for crossing on 20, only for Kimmins to slip as he approached the kick, which flew understandably wide. 2 minutes later the young exiles Skip made amends, arching through a gap then slipping a tackle to score under the posts for try he then converted. 5 minutes later and Totts were level, then pinching a ball against the head and working a few phases before one of their locks crashed over by the posts for another converted try. A little activity followed this try, and Cornish were awarded a penalty at the restart, though the attempt fell short. On 34 minutes Totts worked a move from inside their own half to send their full back through a gap, and with a few patsy attempts to tackle him, he scooted clear to score by the posts for another converted try, the visitors turning round 21-14 to the good.
The exiles began the 2nd period well, Matt Hakes stealing a ball at a maul on 41 minutes, and Kimmins linking with Harry Buttery to take play into the Totts half, from where it was worked to Ievers to once again show real strength to drive over and reach out for the try (pictured), though this was not improved. On 44 and 51 minutes Totts scored 2 more converted tries that simply cried out for someone to make a decent attempt at a tackle, and through the tears at seeing the gameplan in shreds, your correspondent spotted that these too had been converted, taking the score out to 19-35. Cornish have a few regulars who have returned to action and whose form is peaking just now, one being Ievers. Another is left wing Tom Jeffery, who now rose to the occasion to bring his side back into the game. On 55 minutes, quick hands on half-way gave the speedster the chance to skip his opposite number and clear away for another unconverted try. For a period now, the home team defended with more gusto and organisation, Harry Somers to the fore in manning the barricades. A couple of changes also saw an improvement in the tight, no surprise given that the lads that had started in the front row included 2 who had barely played any rugby this season. On 63 minutes Jeffery was again given a smidgeon of room, and this time he powered beyond the wing and around the full back to dive over for another unconverted try, the exiles now 24-35 behind. A daft penalty conceded to Totts bang in form kicker saw the deficit extend to 10, before Cornish responded again with 13 left; Phoenix and Sam Vaughan combined to hit lock James La Broy arriving at pace. He is an awkward customer to bring down, and the Totts d didnt manage it until he had launched his way over for the try, this one improved by Kimmins and the home side within 2 at 36-38. Just when it appeared Cornish finally had the momentum, they switched off at a ruck to allow a Totts forward the opportunity to stroll over for their 6th converted try. Back came the exiles, knocking on when well placed on 76 before another fine Ievers run saw a penalty won on the 22. Kimmins launched the kick between the uprights to bring his side with a score, but try as they might in the remaining 2 minutes, Cornish couldn't fashion another try, and on the balance of play you had to say they didn't deserve it.
Tottonians are likely to undergo some form of a rebuilding exercise at the end of this season, and if this performance is anything to judge them by, they will still produce the exciting, entertaining brand of rugby for which they have become renowned. These are always cracking matches, and though the quality of this one wasn't as high as previous encounters, it was another belter to watch.
Cornish move on to their final match of the season, safe in the knowledge that they have garnered 60 points on their first ever foray to Level 6, giving them another crack next year. That's all the DoR needs - a 2 week close season will be followed by his remorseless recruitment campaign!