London 1 South

THERE was little to choose between Tottonians and Cobham before the kick-off in their London 1 South clash - and even less on the field of play.

Just one point separated the sides at the start of the match, with Cobham just having the edge.

The exciting game at Water Lane ended with a 22-22 draw, with both sides earning a couple of points for their efforts.

It looked as if the home side was heading for a win as they went into half time 22-5 up, after going behind to an early Cobham try. The advantage was earned with a display of quality rugby during a bruising first 40 minutes, which included a top class try from hooker Liam Murphy.

Tottonians answered Cobham’s opening try with a penalty from Robbie Searle shortly before he touched down from a driving maul.

Murphy then made the most of a three-man line-out. The ball was returned to him and he chipped-and-chased, outpaced would-be tacklers and dived over the line.

Ben Dolbear put his side further ahead when he finished off a break from Richard Buck.

However a couple of second half tries, two conversions and a penalty made it honours even on the final whistle.

Totts captain, Nathan Burns, said: “It was one of the most physical games we’ve had all season.

“We had good patches of attack, good patches of defence but just lacked concentration at times and fumbled balls on occasions with too many passes and lost the ball in contact on the floor.”

He added: “We may not have won but we are going in the right direction and confidence is high.”

Hampshire’s other side in the division, Havant, also lost out, beaten 30-21 at home by CS Rugby 1863.