Backed by drums, flags, and vuvuzelas, Winchester’s 1st XV delivered an impressive 39–26 win over Petersfield, advancing in the first leg of the playoffs.
Both teams started cautiously. Field scored first when Will Norton finished a driving maul, with the conversion giving them the lead. Seconds later, Winch responded, and George Ward scored after three moves; Tom Fieldsend converted to tie the game.
Winchester were finding their rhythm and the opposition were sliced wide open as Fieldsend came from deep with an arcing run to touch down under the posts; his conversion sailed through and Winch went into the lead 14-7.
Winch were putting in dominant hits whenever Field attacked and began to dictate possession and territory. A kick deep into the corner led to a trademark Matt Golding try from the driving maul. The wind stole the conversion, but at 19-7 Winch were looking very composed.
The opposition rallied and the big men in red began to attack the lineout. They won possession but as they worked it wide a dropped ball was scooped up by Dom Cooney who weaved his way through the flailing defence to score. Fieldsend converted for a 26-7 lead.
Petersfield came back at them with a breakthrough score for Jack Jannaway. The conversion made the scoreline 26-14 at the break.
The first half had seen some heavy traffic both ways but Winch had looked totally dominant. They’d made big carries through the outstanding Golding and Will Matthews in the centre. A couple of needless penalties had let Field back in, so the first score after the break would be decisive.
Field came out, not exactly with their tails up, but pressurising the home side. Play became fragmented and Winch, with only a 12 point lead despite their dominance, decided to take penalty points when they were on offer. Fieldsend kicked two, making it 32-14, and effectively took them out of reach.
Winch tried to pick up momentum as centre Harri Thomas probed, but Field kept Winch on the back foot and in their own half. Kicks from the half backs took Winch out and into Petersfield’s half for a lineout. The ball, cleanly taken by Paddy Dunne, was passed out wide for Emmanuel Terakuu to force his way through and score. A difficult conversion succeeded and Winch now had a 39-14 lead.
It was game over and, although Petersfield will be pleased with their two consolation scores, the game was long gone by then.
Winchester Head Coach Chris Searle was delighted by the team performance and the supporters, as Winch move forward to take on Wimborne at home next week.
