Winchester remain unbeaten but came desperately close to their fourth league win as Guildford held on for a thrilling draw, with both teams putting on an entertaining spectacle in Godalming, writes Ben Beavan.

Guildford enjoyed the early territorial advantage, and claimed the first score, when Winchester were unable to repel a driving maul that took them over the line. 

Spurred on by this early setback Winchester roused themselves. Forwards Golding and Lee were juggernauts, punching huge holes through the opposition. 

Guildford were pinged for not releasing at the breakdown. Sullivan’s measured punt put the Winchester pack deep into the host’s twenty-two. Nicholson took the line-out ball cleanly and the drive was direct, clinical and effective before propelling Beavan over for the score. Fieldsend’s conversion and a penalty soon after took Winchester to a 10- 7 lead. 

Now it was Winchester who were deemed to have infringed and a penalty put Guildford in the corner.

The Winchester defence held firm for several phases before the referee signalled a try taking Guildford two points ahead at 12- 10.

Winchester mid-field was now fizzing with centres Hiscock and Taylor creating chances for their wingers. Forster set off on a cavalier run, helter-skeltering his way through the Guildford defence, before being brought down illegally. The penalty again put the pack in the corner and from a well-rehearsed line-out move, Lee powered over to score, taking Winchester to 17- 12 at half time.
Guildford were first out of the blocks at the restart, with two well taken tries and a penalty taking them to a 27-17 lead.

Winchester continued to move the ball wide and a sweeping phase took them into the Guildford twenty-two before knocking on. The scrum was won against the head and  the alert Hare fired a pass to Forster, who took advantage of the defender’s generous decision to show him the outside and raced over to score. With Hare’s conversion clattering off the uprights Winchester were now only one score behind at 27- 22.

Golding surged up field before off-loading to Hiscock who accelerated clear. The scrambling defence raced back to close the door. From the ruck Fieldsend’s sweetly struck crosskick was gathered by Banks who sprinted in to score and level the score at 27- 27.

Deep into added time the referee’s outstretched arm indicated a penalty to Winchester but Fieldsend’s kick drifted agonisingly wide and, with honours even, the referee blew for no side.