Despite losing 2 more players to injury on the morning of the match, London Cornish produced enough quality on the day to repel visitors Tottonians by a single point in London 1 South on Saturday. With none of the recent injuries particularly long-term, and the imminent return of a number of the squad from the unbeaten season who have missed a season or more, there is plenty of optimism at Cornish that there might even be some selection dilemmas soon!
With hooker Jake Slade, no 8 Jack Vosper, and backs Dan Phoenix and Jack Skerritt all injured the previous week, the exiles could have done without centre David Funston and full back Steffan Lloyd also failing late fitness tests from knocks suffered in that game. However, on the plus side the gathering strength of the exiles pack saw returns for Will Sheridan at hooker, Harry Somers at lock, and at long last former Wasps Heineken Cup winning Samoan International Dan Leo in the back row. Rich Stephens returned at 9, Sam Vaughan came in at 10 to move Skipper George Kimmins to 13, and out wide free scoring flyer Andy Hill came in at full back having been unavailable to this point in the season, and Tom Havercroft started on the other wing. With steady rain falling throughout the day, the teams would face unfamiliar conditions, though it was noted that the visitors were able to field their first choice back line and would present a constant threat to their severely depleted hosts.
Playing away from the distant clubhouse in the opening period, Cornish were quickly on the defensive, and the Totts 10 narrowly failed with a drop goal attempt with the opening attack. It seemed insignificant at the time… The home side were next on the attack with Somers, who had a magnificent game throughout, breaking tackles and taking play into the visitors half. On the second such incursion, a Totts front row was badly cut trying to bring the lock down, and had to be replaced. The visitors were deservedly first on the scoreboard with a penalty on 12 minutes, at which point Cornish lost a man to the bin. At every opportunity in these opening minutes, the visitors 10 elected to kick to try and pin the exiles back, but they were met with stern defence, both sides knocking on plenty or throwing forward passes. Gradually, the exiles took control in the tight, winning a penalty on 17 minutes to clear their lines, and then on 23 minutes taking a clean strike against the head inside the visitors half, only for a forward pass to end a promising attack. With Mark O’Leary, Somers, James La Broy and Leo providing plenty of powerful carries in the forwards, and Joe Donnelly having an outstanding game in the backs, Totts were forced on the defensive, and eventually conceded a penalty on 29 minutes when caught offside as their backs retreated. Kimmins levelled up the score with the kick. 5 minutes later and it was a Nick Goss run that saw Totts pinged for hands in the till, Kimmins giving his side a lead they would not lose for the rest of the match. The half ended with Cornish on the attack again, but a knock-on outside the 22 saw the opportunity and the half end.
The break saw the exiles have to withdraw Kimmins, who had suffered a couple of knocks, Rory Stanyard in on the wing and Matt Hakes moving to centre. Within minutes, Cornish lost another player to injury on 44 minutes when Goss was taken out by a no arms tackle not spotted by the referee. David Chalkley came into the pack forcing a reshuffle in the pack. 3 minutes later, and as Totts countered from inside their own half, Leo lined up one of their back row and levelled him with a perfectly timed tackle right under the referee’s nose to audible gasps from those who had braved the weather, the lad unable to continue. At the ensuing scrum, Stephens broke blind and arrowed between 2 defenders only for the final pass to be knocked on. Though the visitors cleared their lines, Hakes returned the ball with interest, and when Cornish won a penalty it was kicked to 5 out down the left flank with 52 on the clock. Totts repelled the initial surge, and when the ball was recycled they were pinged again. Stephens was quickest to react, taking a quick tap and driving low under the desperate visiting d to crash over for a crucial try. With regular kicker Kimmins off, Stephens took the conversion attempt himself, and his well struck effort slammed into the far upright and down the wrong side, the exiles now 11-3 to the good. The home side withdrew Steve Wallace for Oli Low at this point, and he quickly brought another penalty a scrum time. A series of tit for tat penalties saw the score move to 14-9 on 62 minutes, though both kickers actually missed and landed attempts during this period. With 12 minutes left, Stephens moved the score out to 17-9 with another kick, though at a cost as Chalkley took a knock and had to be replaced, Wallace back on in the front row and Sheridan moving out to the back row. On 73, Cornish were pinged for holding and then marched back 10 for backchat. Totts kicked to 10 out down the right hand flank, and when their 12 punched a hole, they quickly recycled for one of their backs to slide over to the left of the posts for a converted try. In the remaining minutes of the match, Totts knocked on when well positioned, before Stephens launched a clearing kick deep into the visitors 22, and Hakes was able to snag the recipient under his own posts. Though Cornish knocked on right by the visitors try line, the defensive line held well for the remaining minute of the match, forcing the Hampshire side to try an ambitious chip and chase from their 22, knocked on for game over.
It isn’t easy to work out the form lines in London 1 South so far this season, but both of these 2 teams will win their fair share of matches. Totts were clearly disappointed to lose another tight match this season, but there is rarely much between these clubs, or in the record over the years, which now sits at 14 wins each with 1 draw. We look forward to the return at Water Lane in the New Year.
Given the team they were unable to field, Cornish will be delighted to have won this one. Gradually blending in returning players over the next few weeks will see plenty of familiarity return to the ranks, and we can all look forward to that!