After a convincing win against Portsmouth on the 8th of March, Romsey had a 2 week break to prepare for the Totts game. Due to points accumulated in the league, Romsey have found themselves completing the end of the season at an advantage and sitting comfortably at 2nd in the Counties Hampshire 3’s league.
Romsey new any opposition in the league would select a strong side, and Totts did not disappoint. The weather was humid, ground hard, crowd growing, anticipation high for an exciting game.
The Romsey squad consistent in players availability, the only change was a returning Olly Hodges aka “Machine Gun Olly” benching as an impact sub.
First Half
The game began with a concrete set piece from the Romsey line out. A cleverly devised maul peal executed perfectly by the forward pack allowed Brad “o’l milky” Piper to score the first Romsey try. “Big Daddy” Jim Lamonte slotted the conversion with ease. 0-7 to Romsey.
Asserting control in Totts 22, granted a penalty to Romsey which Big Daddy comfortably put away. 0-10 to Romsey.
Tottonian’s applied pressure with multiple phases in the first half, their backs were particularly strong running lines through the Romsey defence. This led to 2 penalties awarded to Totts which they successfully converted – 6-10 to Romsey.
Totts pressure was short lived, as Romsey once again found themselves in Totts 22, a quick zinger of a pass from Dylan “keep your mothers at home (KYMAH)” Scott allowed Big Daddy space to chip and chase putting Ollie “shiny” Soundy in for a try under the posts. 6-17 to Romsey.
A big defensive effort from Nate “I’ll fight ya” Greathead & Harrison “El Capitano” Scott kept Totts at bay for the remainder of the first half putting Romsey in a strong position and boosting their confidence.
Half time
Totts returned with gusto in the second half, piercing through Romsey defences and running in a try. 13-17 to Romsey.
This was again, short lived, Romsey’s back line naming Ed “The Eagle” Davies found gaps in Totts defence resulting in Totts tracking back and ultimately tiring out. With the space the Romsey backs had provided, the forwards capitalised allowing Romsey to run away with the game.
Dan “ouch my shoulder” Murrant scored a try after a massive effort from the forwards in a pick and go frenzy 10 metres from Totts try line. 13-22 to Romsey.
This was followed by another strong scrummaging effort from the front 5, namely Mike “5 Guys” Streicher, Alfie “Godfather” Lawrence, Will “BigDug” Harrison, “I’ll fight ya” Greathead & Brad “Where are my kids” Hughes. “KYMAH” took advantage of the scrum and scored on the blindside, conversion missed. 13-27 to Romsey.
With the scoreboard running away from Totts, Big Daddy slotted in another penalty kick just short of the halfway line. 13-30 to Romsey.
Ed the Eagle showed some more quick feet dazzling the Totts backline running in for another confident try. Big Daddy converted, 13-37 to Romsey.
Towards the 4th quarter of the game, Totts still showed character in their defence and kept Romsey at bay for a time, but the continuous pressure of Romsey allowed “o’l Milky” to score under the posts for his 2nd try. Conversion Big Daddy 13-44.
With the game coming to swift closure, Totts held firm to score the last try of the game – final score 20-44 to Romsey.
Another hard-fought game against a tough experienced Totts side. Onto the next and final fixture against Southampton 5th April which will conclude Romsey’s fantastic season.
Head Coaches comments: Jason Berry
“Today was a bruising encounter with Tottonians set on trying to slow down our ball.
Proud of the lads this season they all have brought into the new ideas. Numbers at training has been consistently good and promotion is in the bag.
Big Game v Southampton Rugby Club as other than Andover they are the only team to take points from us.”
El Capitano’s comments: Harrison Scott
“I thought the team dug deep after a few deserved weeks off to come out with another season defining win. It’s a credit to our structure and set peace which gave us our platform to express our attacking play.”