Winchester turn on the style

Winchester 10, London Nigerians 5

WINCHESTER produced their best performance of the season to record a magnificent victory over high flying London Nigerians at Nuns Road last Saturday to move up to tenth in the league. The result could not have come at a better time, with the Hampshire club badly needing a morale boost to put their season back on track. They scored two tries through thunderous catch and drives from the lineout and the visitors could manage only one in response. A delighted Winchester coach Mike Marchant said: "We had a very clear game plan, identified their achilles heel and came away with the points. It was an awesome performance." When these two sides met in October Winchester received a sound 60-3 thrashing, but this time the visitors were reduced to little more than kick and chase. I have to admit that as I made my way to the ground I was dreading a similar humiliation - but I should be wiser by now. There is no formula to Winchester. Therein lies the problem. But boy does it make you feel good when they pull off results like this! The home pack were simply marvellous. They produced both tries and won the battle on every inch of the field. It seems harsh to single individuals from what was truly a collective effort, but veteran flanker Rolf Stratford had a colossal game. In addition, the backs fed off their pack's superiority and quashed the considerable pace of the London Nigerian back line with aggressive tackling. The visitors will cite poor handling as their downfall but much can be attributed to the pressure administered from the Winchester team. They made their intentions clear right from the start when Stratford went close after several good phases. Shortly after, centres Rob West and Iain Banks both picked good lines but were dragged down short. Scrum half Andy Ashwin played his best game for some time, guiding his juggernaut of a pack and deftly kicking for position. It took Winchester nearly half an hour to open the scoring. The Hampshire side had hinted at what was to come after driving a maul a full thirty yards up the pitch. Richard Fraser rose high at a lineout, and the maul rumbled with intent towards the line. The visitors were powerless to stop them, and second row Nick Miller crashed over to register his first try for the club. Winchester looked to tighten their grip and hooker Iain Millar nearly barged his way over after a slick lineout move. But a penalty against the home side saw the chance vanish. The Nigerians predictably fought back hard after the break and their excellent flanker Dave Essien, who proved the only real threat they had to offer, deservedly crossed in the corner. The missed conversion left the scores level at 5-5. Winchester were not to be denied and came back in fine fashion. Ashwin kicked a penalty into the corner and the challenge was set; it was not a challenge that the London team were up to. Miller secured the ball and the forwards drove over the line. This time second row Steve Showell was the beneficiary, but the missed conversion from Ashwin left the match in the balance at 10-5. The crowd then held its breath as a hack through by the visitors looked to snatch the match. But winger Simon Farrington raced back to beat the oncoming Nigerians by a whisker, and Winchester held on for a stunning victory.