WINCHESTER kept themselves in the promotion hunt with a 32-9 London 2 South-West win at Warlingham RFC.

The five-try victory cements their third place in the table, which they can go some way to making their own this weekend when they entertain London Exiles who are a place below them.

Winch took advantage of greater numbers after the home side had a player sin binned in the opening minutes at Warlingham.

The resulting penalty line-out produced the game’s first try as captain and flanker Zach Kinnaird touched down.

Warlingham came back with a penalty but that was cancelled out with one from Winchester’s Connor Breen who went on to convert a classic winger’s try from teammate Adam Dye. Forwards and backs then linked well with Dan Smith receiving a final pass from Number 8 Frank Bagnall to place the ball over the line ten minutes before the break.

Warlingham’s only answer over the next 40 minutes was another couple of successful penalties.

Winchester brought up the bonus point fourth try when Kinnaird replicated his first effort and Smith cut through the defence for his second, converted by Breen.

Andover recorded a hard fought and vital 14-7 win at Weybridge Vandals with two first half tries from Stefan Long, both converted.

In a game affected by the elements, Andover dominated the first half and should have led by more. After the break the home side came into it more but Andover looked comfortable until conceding with just ten minutes left.

The All Blacks stayed calm, however, and saw the game out for a welcome win.

Coach Andy Waite said: “We had several key players missing but as the squad improves and learns to manage games at this level we are getting wins and moving clear of relegation trouble which is our aim.

“We are beginning to turn narrow defeats into narrow wins.”