Wimborne 26-33 Winchester 

Winchester got the better of opponents Wimborne in the 33-26 away win on Saturday, with a blustery wind wreaking havoc, writes Ben Beavan.

Winchester made their attacking intentions clear from the outset, seizing an early three-point lead as Tommy Hare coolly slotted a penalty, when an under pressure Wimborne defence were pinged for failing to release in a tackle.

As the first half progressed the Winchester pack continued to dictate proceedings and were denied a push-over try with the referee adjudging a knock on. From the five metre scrum the front row snaffled the Wimborne put-in allowing scrum half Tom Fieldsend to gather and snipe over to score, taking Winchester eight points clear. However, following a period of dogged Winchester defending, Wimborne narrowed the score to 5-8 with a well taken try. 

A penalty put the Winchester pack deep into the Wimborne half. The line-out drive was direct, clinical and effective with Will Wilson breaking free to crash over the whitewash. Wilson added his second soon after when bouncing off defenders to crash over in the corner. Injuries were becoming critical with forwards Jim Beavan and Wilf Nicholson now leaving the field, hors de combat. Flanker Jacob Culley-Wilson was a constant spark throughout and a scything break through the Wimborne midfield, and exquisite off-load, put Jack Coles over under the posts. The conversion putting Winchester 25-8 ahead at half time.

Spurred by this first half setback Wimborne tails were up and in a period of no holds-barred freneticism they scored three unanswered tries and a penalty to take a one point lead 26-25, as the clock ticked towards full time.

In a thrilling finale, Winchester regained the lead through a Tommy Hare penalty before Connor Breen applied the coup de grace, diving over in the corner to take the final score to 33-26.
It was a fitting finale to a very successful season where Winchester won 16 of the 21 games played, losing only 4 times and one match drawn. Table-top leaders Jersey may yet come to North Walls but the result could not affect the league position. 

Winchester display a fortress mentality at home, holding the record for the least points conceded. They will need it as they enter the Papa John Community Cup where they play the best of comparable leagues in the South West. Round one next week is at home against Royal Wootton Bassett. They have lost once this season so the challenge will be substantial, however the incentive is significant with the final rounds played at Twickenham. C’mon Winch!