Winchester 1st XI 2, Indian Gymkhana 1st XI 1

A George Harris-inspired victory against their title-chasing West London opponents gave Winchester a great lift in their ambition to pull clear of relegation trouble.     

Both sides started positively but the brilliant close skills of the visitors began to bear fruit with early penalty corners. With Alex Idoine, a penalty corner specialist with a mighty 45 goals in 17 games in their ranks, Gymkhana might have been expected to make hay with these opportunities, but, in a theme that would run throughout the game, Winchester's defence dealt with the danger. 

However, it was a Gymkhana open play goal from Pravinder Hanspal that broke the deadlock on fifteen minutes, benefiting from a stunning piece of skill from his teammate provider deep in Winchester's left flank.

Having suffered a 7-0 defeat in the reverse fixture, Winchester might have accepted their fate, but their work-rate was tireless, much of the play coming through skipper Kieran Malloy taking the ball with his back to the opposition goal under great pressure but distributing freely. Winchester were also pleased to have Adam Tollefsen and Ben Francis back in their squad after long absences, plus U18 debutant Josh Fiske, all of whom had strong positive influences on the performance. Mark Maunsell had a fierce strike well saved just ahead of half time which added to player/coach George Harris's rousing mid-game appeal to believe that this game was there for the winning.

Both sides had early second half chances Olly Lander forcing a good save from the Gymkhana keeper, but ten minutes in, Winchester's first penalty corner bore fruit as a clever disguised move to the left found Ben Hibberd who slid the ball to the far post for Todd Hutcheson to divert home to draw level. 

What then followed was one of the great goalkeeping performances in Winchester's history as George Harris denied a relentless flurry of penalty corners and open play opportunities from the urgent visitors. One was a breath-taking dive high to his left to divert from the top corner, but as important as the three of four outstanding saves made was his consistency in the large number of straightforward smother and clear type saves, that often elude keepers and lead to frustrating goals. The one time he was unable to reach a goal bound strike, Harry Trussler was on hand to divert round the post.

With fifteen minutes remaining, Ben Hibberd sent in a dangerous cross from the base line and after an initial two saves from the Gymkhana keeper, Nick Clark lifted the ball into the net to take a 2-1 lead. The visitors had a further two penalty corners, but the game's pattern endured, Gymkhana totalling in excess of ten such corners in the game without return.

Photo: 45 goal Alex Idione once again fails to get past keeper George Harris (ball is actually in front to crossbar). Harry Trussler is masked on the post, Adam Tollefsen has his back to goal, James Pawley to the right of the IG no 3 and Ben Francis is looking behind him