Winchester took a while to work out London 2 South-West opponents KCS Old Boys - but solved the problem by winning 19-18 in Surrey.
Winch were trailing 11-0 after the first quarter – it could have been worse if not for some top defending.
The Hampshire side gradually worked their way back into the game when wing Alex Bayliss went over but the good work was undone at the restart as Winchester lost possession and fell further behind, trailing 18-5 at the break.
However it was composure under the pressure that won the day for Winch. They got back into contention when prop Jim Beavan made a break to set up wing Charlie Preston.
That try was converted, as was the visitors’ third, a pushover try from a five-metre scrum, touched down by Rob Rees and successfully kicked for victory by Pat Cheshire.
KCS could have stolen the show in the final stages but, with their regular kicker on the sidelines, a penalty attempt sailed wide.
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