WINCHESTER 21 OLD COLFEIANS 43 

Winchester’s promotion attempt was thwarted within the first 14 minutes by a competent, well-drilled Old Colfeians, who raced into a 19-point lead (three tries, two converted) and never looked like losing this match. They adapted to the slippery conditions better than the home team, making fewer handling errors (writes Dai Henley).

Old Colfeians timed their run to this promotion playoff well – they were languishing in a relegation position as recently as January but have put together a string of impressive victories to reach the final stage of the competition.

Stunned into action by the scoreline, Winchester drove the Old Colfeians pack backwards in a set scrum, forcing them to give away a penalty. From the resultant kick to touch and a successful lineout, the ball was spun to centre, Harri Thomas, to open Winchester’s account. Scrum-half Tom Fieldsend converted to give the home supporters hope. It didn’t last.

Despite strong running from skipper and second-rower Matt Golding, fellow second-rower, Harry Arkley and centre Will Matthews, Old Colfeians scored twice more, with tries by centre Louis Baker, who broke through at speed. Both were converted by fly-half Ryan Napper to bring the score to 7 - 33.

Winchester ended the half pressing the Old Colfeians' tryline, but handling errors at critical moments hindered their trademark firebrand of rugby.

Winchester began the second half with more energy and intensity, and within four minutes of the restart, they put together fourteen phases of controlled rugby, sending loosehead prop Ben Turner over for a well-deserved try. With Fieldsend’s successful conversion making the score 14 - 33, the home supporters believed Winchester would bridge the gap.

Sadly not. Eleven minutes later, Old Colfeians won a lineout five metres from Winchester’s tryline. The catch-and-drive (taken from Winchester’s playbook) resulted in a try by their Number 8, Charlie Baker, which was duly converted by Napper.

Winchester pressed hard to narrow the gap, and a minute later, veteran Jake Hiscock, playing at number 8, forced himself over the line. Fieldsend converted, bringing the score to 21 - 40 with 17 minutes left. Again, the home supporters kept the faith, banging their drums and blowing their hunting horns.

But with four minutes left, Winchester were out-scrummaged, a rare event this season and were penalised 20 metres from their line. Old Colfeians took the points to bring the final score to 21 - 43 to the delight of the visiting supporters.

Winchester has played scintillating rugby this season, but winning promotion via the playoffs is a daunting process. The previous two games seemed to have taken their toll. However, having finished second, third and second again in the last three seasons, there is no reason why Winchester can’t win the league and achieve automatic promotion next season.

Club coach, Chris Searle, said after the game, ‘Of course, I am disappointed with the result. We were chasing the game after the first twenty minutes and made too many mistakes. But overall, it’s been a great season, and we’re determined to go again.’