Tottonians are back in control of London 2 South-West after deposing friendly foes London Cornish.

There is plenty of respect between the two clubs which have played in the same league together for a number of years.

But that was put to one side on Saturday with the prize of top place in SW2 at stake.

Totts skipper Robbie Searle led by example as his travelling team returned to their Water Lane headquarters with the valuable 19-6 victory.

The formidable fly half may have got all the points but coach Gavin Williams reckoned the victory was down to each and every player.

He said: “Captain Robbie Searle was fantastic but so was every other player. We will not get carried away, a lot of hard work is ahead of us.”

Cornish held the half-time lead with a couple of penalties to Totts’ one.

But Tottonians upped the tempo after the break with the home side rarely setting foot in their opponents’ 22.

Robbie Searle got the game’s only try and converted shortly after an effort from Richard Buck was disallowed – the referee unsighted.

Continued pressure told on Cornish and Searle punished them with three penalties over the last 20 minutes.

Williams added: “The hand work and courage our players showed was inspiring and demonstrates the spirit right across the club.

“The platform created by the forwards, who were dominant in every aspect, allowed us to exert huge pressure on them and had we been more clinical in attack we could and should have scored more tries.”