Tottonians moved to one point away from automatic promotion and the London 2 South-West title with one of their best performances of the season.

Totts used all their experience from a long and successful campaign to battle back and beat a classy London Cornish side 26-14 after being behind at half time.

Cornish, the only team in a position to ruin Tottonians’ ambition of playing in London 1 South, brought their best first XV to Water Lane, which also boasted several new faces.

And they looked to have the beating of the home side as they cancelled out an early penalty by dominating the remainder of the first 40 minutes – looking sharper in most departments.

With Totts’ Nick Jones sidelined for ten minutes for being offside, Cornish went into the break 14-6 up – two penalties from captain Robbie Searle keeping his side in the game.

However, Tottonians were not about to give up all the hard work they had put in since September, which had taken them to the top of the table and the brink of promotion.

They fought on and were just two points adrift after 20 minutes of the second half – continual pressure leading to another two penalties from Robbie Searle.

They then went on to boss the remainder of the game. Cornish’s defiant defence eventually caved in after a relentless barrage of attacks in and around their opponents’ 22. When offered the rare opportunities to cross the line, Totts snapped them up.

Cornish received three yellow cards and were reduced to 13 players at one point as continual infringements led to penalties. From one of those Totts opted for a scrum from which Richard Buck found Robbie Searle who exposed a gap in the corner and brushed off desperate attempts to stop him.

Not long after Scott Rogers clattered through several tackles following around a dozen phases and stretched out for the line.

Delighted coach Gavin Williams, pictured right, said: “They brought a strong side here and I said they would throw everything at us and it wasn’t just the kitchen sink – it was the whole house!

“This was the best team we have played all season and if I’m honest we were struggling in the first half but still in the game at half time.

“We talked about what we needed to do and that was to stop them scoring by improving our defence and look after the ball a bit better.”

Statistics show Tottonians need one more point to win the championship and automatic promotion, however their massive points difference should see them through if they were two lose their remaining two games and Cornish found another ten points.

Williams added: “That is the most pressure we have been under all season and maybe in the past we would have wilted.

“But we have created a team spirit right throughout the club and we train and socialise together. People talk about putting your body on the line and that is what the lads do for one another.”