Relentless pack drives Winchester to victory

KING ALFRED himself would have been proud of Winchester's performance at Coombe Lane last Saturday.

Taking control in the early stages through the forwards, a platform from which to attack was established and never relinquished.

The driving mauls were particularly impressive, eating up the yards and sapping the opposition's strength and confidence.

In bitterly cold conditions, the visitors kept it simple while playing into the teeth of a strong wind in the first half.

They took the lead when Dave Brown darted over for a close range score after 13 minutes.

On the rare occasions OW threatened, Winchester did not panic. The midfield defence of James Bingham and Matt Goldsmith held firm and allowed Andy Ashwin to set his troops on the attack again.

Hard work is deservedly paying dividends at last, both in terms of fitness and burgeoning confidence as the wins are chalked up. Even a sin-binning made no difference as the visitors kept up the pressure.

The game could have turned at the start of the second half when the hosts gave it their all, albeit a cynically high tackle on Simon Farrington had temporarily reduced them to 14 men just before the break.

But that was never going to be enough with the Winchester pack still hungry as wolves. George Daniels stood out both for his work round the fringes and superb lineout jumping.

The points had to come. A Rohan Campbell penalty for OWs was answered in kind by Ashwin before Simon Farrington squeezed over in the left corner from a skilful Ashwin pass.

The conversion sailed between the posts from the touchline to ensure victory, whereupon the visiting supporters erupted, having kept up a barrage of noise all afternoon.

Head coach Barry Bridgman was in seventh heaven.

"As a coach, you live for days like these," he said.

'Now for Old Reigatians again', he might have added. Winchester have lost their appeal against the London League's decision to order a replay of the first match between the two sides, which finished with uncontested scrums.

That has cost Winchester two points, points they hope to regain when the two teams lock horns again this Saturday (February 4, kick-off 2pm).

They are hoping for a bumper crowd to help them carry on where they left off.

Winchester: West, Pillinger, Bingham, Goldsmith, Farrington, Brown, Ashwin, Staszkiewicz, Bolland, Moreton (Osborne 73), Hayes, Ettinger, Kirkaldy, Knight, Daniels.