Hamble 1st XI 0 - Winchester 1st XI 5

Winchester maintained their position at the top of Div 1 South with a comfortable victory at Hamble.

However, it took twenty minutes to break down a resilient Hamble defence and indeed the home team could have taken the lead early had keeper Ally Birch not been alert to save at close range.

Fielding three U16 players once again, Winchester forced the pace, particularly through Rory Jack down the right flank, whose influence on the game along with Bertie Lander and Will Leyland bode well for the future of the team.

Eventually, the pressure told when Nick Clarke picked up the pieces from a saved Ben Hibberd penalty corner strike and neatly slotted home. Five minutes later, another penalty corner proved successful and Hibberd worked a great 1-2 with Kieran Malloy who buried his chance for a two-nil half-time lead.

The pressure was not released by the visitors after the break but there were plenty of chances which went unrewarded until, with fifteen minutes remaining, Hibberd found the net with a superb solo effort.

Shortly afterwards, Adam Major, who had been causing havoc with his pace amongst the Hamble defence, had his reward when Rob Ritchie set him up for a fine finish.

Hamble still had intent and one attack saw the ball flash past Birch's post, but Winchester had complete control of the game and completed their win with a goal at another penalty corner as Mark Maunsell found a gap past the keeper after an initial fine save.

Next Saturday (February 17), sees Winchester take on second-placed Southampton University who are three points behind with an identical goal difference.

With only one promotion place available, this is a critical fixture for both teams.