Winchester 2nd XV won the Hampshire Rugby Against Cancer Cup, defeating Chichester 2’s 23-22 in Portsmouth.
In a classic, tight and tense cup-final it was a nail biting kick with the last play that gave Winchester the glory.
Always in the balance, it was a very tense game, with no one team dominating. The lead changed hands throughout the game. Emotions occasionally ran over. Chichester thought they’d won the game with a try in the corner and very little time remaining.
When the ball ended up in touch, Chichester supporters thought it was game over, but the ref had seen a high tackle. Winchester’s Fin Strangeway struck the penalty to win the game and the ref blew the final whistle.
The team really stuck in the fight for the whole game and never let their heads drop when things went against them.
This Cup run was to prove a stern test of toughness and togetherness. To win the final itself was made even more impressive having defeated Havant II's, from the division above, in the Semi Final only four days previously.
The win marks the end of an excellent season, with the 2’s completing a solid league campaign in Counties 2.
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