On a wet and not totally miserable morning Haslemere took on the mighty Winchester who allegedly were turning out with about ten county players. From the start Haslemere held their own against a very strong Winchester side, in the first 20 minutes Winchester ran in 3 breakaway tries which didnt reflect the possession percentages with Haslemere applying strong pressure, 17-0.
As usual Jonny is in the thick of it as well as Jethro and Haslemere pass the ball around well between the forwards and the backs. Haslemere make a valiant attempt to score a try through great running by James and Mgu. Winchester scrabble around after winning their lineout with Haslemere forcing Winchester into a scrum down 5 yards out, James tries to go round the blindside but is stopped short. Nathan makes a great run and manages to keep the ball alive, Haslemere win a penalty and from a set piece get the ball wide to Nathan who runs in a try after great hands from Mgu, Jethro converts, 17-7.
From the off, Winchester apply pressure on Haslemere forcing them into little mistakes but Haslemere manage to clear their lines and take Winchester back into their own half. Winchester come straight back at Haslemere but give away a penalty which keeps them out, half time.
Winchester kick off, and after several phases run through a number of missed tackles by Haslemere and run in a try from the half way line, 24-7. From the off Winchester knock on but Haslemere lose their scrum giving away a free kick from which Winchester run 50 yards down the pitch. Winchester steal a lineout and run through several tackles until Jethro makes a great tackle to keep them at bay, Nathan is once again in the thick of it. Haslemere give away a penalty ten yards out, Winchester take a quick one get the ball wide and score, 29-7.
From the off, Winchester catch the ball get it wide and run to the Haslemere 22 yard line, some excellent tackling stops them short, several phases later Haslemere briefly steal the ball but winchester win it straight back, they are very determined but the Haslemere defence is holding them up. Winchester win a lineout 5 yards out get the ball wide across their whole line and score in the opposite corner, 34-7.
From the off, Haslemere are straight after the ball which they win back in the first ruck, they try to get the ball wide but Winchester are straight onto them and after Ed runs forward he is stopped and Winchester win the ball back in the ruck. Haslemere then win a scrum and get the ball wide to Fin who is taken into touch 30 yards out. Winchester win the lineout and are putting pressure back on Haslemere who once again defend well with EJ gathering the ball well, but Winchester are relentless. When it looks like the Winchester number 18 might run in another try, Alex forces him into Touch. An overthrow by Haslemere in the lineout followed by a number of missed tackles sees Winchester run in their 7th try, 39-7.
Once again from the off, Winchester gather the ball get tge ball wide and run up to the Haslemere 22 before being forced into touch. A bit of off the ball seems to be happening at each kick off when James is leading the chase he is checked not for the first time by a Winchester player. Haslemere win the ball in the lineout and get to the Winchester ten yard line, determined running by Jethro, Ed, James, Alex, Johnny and Owen sees Haslemere at the Winchester 22, a cross field kick by Owen almost sees James and Rhys over the line in the opposite corner but the bounce is not kind and Winchester survive.
Haslemere are winning their scrums and rucking really well, they are chasing every ball and have not given up, the occasional mistake is being capitalised on by Winchester when they win a scrum against the head and get the ball wide they once again make a break away to the Haslemere ten yard line when they are stopped by Jonny. Winchester win the ball back after Haslemere win their scrum, get the ball wide and run in another try, 44-7.
From the off Winchester kick the ball forward, the ball is recovered by EJ who takes it forward and offloads well allowing Jonny to run to the Haslemere ten yard line where he is dump tackled. Winchester gain the ball and continue to apply pressure and are finally stopped by James when they look like they are going to run in another try after getting the ball wide again which what looked a big overlap.
Well played Haslemere against a really strong Winchester side.
Man of the Match Jethro
see the link to Nathans try below.