Guildford Rugby Club
Guildford Show Grit and Flair to Edge Thriller Against Tottonians
Guildford 34 – 32 Tottonians
18th October 2025
Guildford Show Grit and Flair to Edge Thriller Against Tottonians
Team: 1 Ollie Hirst, 2 Jacob Jones, 3 Ross Brooker, 4 Josh Smith, 5 Ben Bushell, 6 Josh Jones, 7 Tom Devereaux, 8 Ollie Millward, 9 Liam Driscoll, 10 Joe Gwyther (C), 11 Alex Jordan, 12 Tyler Pickford, 13 Louis Bounds, 14 Solomon Poole, 15 Will Craven
Replacements: 16 Joe Meade*, 17 Tom Roaf, 18 Henry Cole
(*Debut)
Scorers:
Tries: Jordan (2), Bounds (2),
Cons: Gwyther (4)
Pens: Gwyther (2)
Player Of the Match (POTM): Louis Bounds
Games against Tottonians are never straightforward, and in recent years Guildford have rarely returned from Hampshire with much to show for their efforts. Last season’s heavy 55–28 defeat at Water Lane still lingered in the memory. But at Broadwater, history tells a different story, and with the team fighting to keep clear of the relegation zone last year, a 17–17 draw proved pivotal in ensuring league survival.
This season’s start has been a mixed one, with two wins from five games and ten points on the board going into Saturday’s fixture, already a stronger position than the same stage last year, when Guildford were winless. After a fine five-point victory away to Ellingham & Ringwood, the home crowd was eager for another positive display.
The day also marked a special milestone with Liam Driscoll’s 50th cap for Guildford. Congratulations to a stalwart of the club.
Photo credit: Stu McAlister, FullFrame Sport
Changes were limited to the pack this week, with four adjustments from the previous line-up due to injury and unavailability. James Delderfield was ruled out, giving Ross Brooker a start with Tom Roaf dropping to the bench. Ben Bushell returned from university to bolster the second row, while Oli Millward’s comeback at No. 8 allowed Tom Devereaux to shift to openside flanker and the ever-improving Josh Jones to move to blindside. Former Colt Joe Meade made his senior debut, while the backline remained unchanged for the first time this season, a welcome sign of stability.
Guildford began with energy and intent, their efforts rewarded early when Devereaux broke down the flank before releasing AJ to sprint over for the opening try. Joe Gwyther converted confidently: 7–0 after five minutes.
Both sides then traded blows in an even, hard-tackling contest. After 15 minutes, Tottonians finally found a way through, levelling the score with a converted try, 7–7. When the visitors infringed at the breakdown moments later, Gwyther coolly slotted a penalty from just outside the 22 to edge Guildford back in front, 10–7 after 19 minutes.
Sustained pressure on the Totts’ line brought further reward as Louis Bounds snuck over for his first try of the afternoon, converted again by Gwyther. Guildford were flying at 17–7 after 24 minutes. But Tottonians responded strongly, their set-piece gaining momentum and Guildford’s defence tested. Three tries in the final ten minutes of the half, two converted, turned the tables, sending the visitors into the break ahead 17–26.
Half-time: Guildford 17 – Tottonians 26
Guildford, attacking towards the road end, opened the second half with renewed energy, yet it was Tottonians who extended their lead with two well-struck penalties from their fly-half, making it 17–32 after 57 minutes. Refusing to fold, Guildford rallied. Strong carries from Meade and Bounds, plus fierce tackling from Devereaux, pushed the visitors back. A clever piece of play from Driscoll created space for AJ to claim his second try, converted once more by Gwyther — 24–32 with 19 minutes left. The game had become a pulsating, end-to-end contest. Both sides created chances and errors in equal measure, and it always felt more points were coming.
As defences tired, Meade made a storming break to release Bounds, who crossed for his second try, his eighth of the season. With Gwyther’s conversion true, the score was 31–32, setting up a tense finale. With ten minutes remaining, Guildford were awarded a penalty directly in front of the posts on the Totts’ 22. Gwyther, unflappable all afternoon, calmly restored the lead, 34–32.
The closing stages were nail-biting. Tottonians pressed hard and earned a late penalty, well within range. Their kicker, accurate throughout, struck it well, but the ball faded agonisingly wide. Guildford held firm through the final exchanges until the referee’s whistle confirmed a memorable win.
Full-time: Guildford 34 – Tottonians 32
Back-to-back victories, a first at Broadwater in some time, underlined Guildford’s progress. The side’s grit and second-half determination proved decisive, while the stability of a settled backline was clearly paying off. The forwards performed strongly in the line-out, though greater scrum consistency will further strengthen the platform.
Next week Guildford travel to high-flying Winchester, where supporters will be warmly welcomed to cheer the team as they look to extend this fine run of form.
#ComeOnGs
Upcoming 1st XV fixtures in October / November
25/10/2025 Winchester (A)
01/11/2025 Rest Week– No Game
08/11/2025 Old Tiffinians (A)
15/11/2025 Rest Week – No Game
22/11/2025 Chobham (H)
Mike Burden
Created by intelligentgolf version 10.1.2.
CONGU® is Copyright 2025 Council of National Golf Unions.
