Tottonian IV 17-15 Lymington – Match Report

Mariners sunk by table topping Tots

Saturday 15^th January 2011

Tottonian IV 17 – 15 Lymington Mariners

Having coming off a big win the previous weekend, the Mariners were set for sterner opposition in the form of Tottonians IV in a top of the table clash.  This match promised to be a full-blooded affair and it was clear from the first few minutes that it wasn’t going to disappoint with a fair amount of unlicensed chiropractic manipulation perpetrated by both sides.  “At the top of the rugby menu today sir is a generous helping of bruises with a side order of pain.”  Sadly for the gutsy Mariners, dessert was to be disappointment, albeit accompanied with a generous helping of intact pride.

Tottonians, unbeaten in the league this season, were always going to provide a tough test as evidenced by their excellent record but in the Mariners they were sure to have had one of their hardest fought wins this season and one that in many ways were fortunate to have secured.  Proof of the determination to win and its importance was made clear early on with tempers boiling over just five minutes into the match; the referee wasting no time in sin-binning the Tottonian’s number five as well as Mariners’ front rower Jason Bolwell who both got a bit of handbag flinging in early.

With both sides desperate to make an early impression it was the Mariners who showed most adventure in attack during the opening quarter.  Unfortunately, this was coupled with some poor execution in the face of well-organised and determined defence by the Totton side with several good opportunities lost in promising positions.  Despite this, Mariners were able to secure themselves an early penalty in front of Tottonian’s posts, duly converted by winger Jamie Bolwell.  This was then followed up by a superb try by Craig Esterhuizen from a quick tap penalty inside Tottonian’s 22m after a magnificent surge up field by the visitors.  Although Jamie Bolwell’s attempted conversion flew close to the opposition post it regrettably elected to go outside rather than in. Even though Jamie failed to hit the additional 2 his dad tried to make amends by hitting 2 himself – unfortunately with his fists and not the boot as he got involved in a second round of argy bargy much to the annoyance of Captain Cavell who started barking a new substitutions policy to the touchline.

Frustrated by the titanic Mariners’ defence (albeit without such crippling leaks) throughout the majority of the first half, Tottonian’s flyhalf sought to mix it up by expertly kicking cross-field exploiting the spaces behind the visitor’s pack, forcing a 5m scrum.  At this point, Tottonians used the significant power of their pack to force a pushover try after being kept out on their first attempt.  The added conversion made it a one-point game going into the second half.

The second half was to continue in the same vein with a Mariners’ mistake leading to Tottonians setting up camp 5 metres out from their line.  However, it was time for the visitor’s pack to dominate, pushing the opposition off the ball before being kicked out to relieve the pressure by the ever alert Bruno Brods, having a storming match at inside half.  Shortly after, Mariners suffered a massive blow when inspirational outside centre Joe Rodway was subbed off with a shoulder injury causing a reshuffle of the pack and the introduction of the rampaging Lee Thomas at number 8.  This was then followed by a successful Tottonian’s penalty after another encouraging Mariners attack was broken down following some speculative passing, which was turning into the story of their match.

With ten minutes to go the ever elusive running of flanker Jamie Banasik, who had already made several telling breaks, was to take Mariners within sniffing distance of the home side’s try line only . Alas, the ball was again turned over and ran back with interest resulting in a converted try under the posts by the Tottonian No.8 whose deceptively slow pace and desperate looking round for a supporting back outwitted the desperate chase by Jamie Bolwell.  The Mariners’ reply was swift and decisive with Lee Thomas ripping the ball from the restart, recycling it to inside centre Phil Jenner who raced to the line to score with flanker Jamie Banasik once again in support.  Jamie Bolwell converted setting up an exciting final two minutes.  However, it wasn’t to be the Mariners’ day as another promising attack broke down only to be turned over and kicked out for the final whistle.

If the Mariners do move up to Hampshire League 2 next season this is opposition Fixture secretary Cavell will be sure to make space for as not only has It brought two great games this season as well as the Tottonian gentleman proving to be exemplary hosts this club will not rest until we have their very balding scalp in our collection.

This week’s ‘Lymington Rivaaz Man of the Match’ award goes to the ever reliable second row Dom Ellis who had a towering and invincible performance in the line out, was solid as a rock in the scrum and supported play restlessly for the full 80 minutes. Mind you two ‘front 5’ moments – a 30 yard pass when 3 would have been sufficient and tackling a player who had just received a kick without any attempt to get on side by Dom first are both worth noting (unlike his try record for the club).

This week Lymington face Andover at home in another league match, kick off is at 2pm at Woodside Park.