Match report, GRFC vs Winchester, 18 January 2025

Guildford Rugby Club

Match report, GRFC vs Winchester, 18 January 2025

Guildford 11 – 32 Winchester

Broadwater Park

18th January 2025

Spirited Hosts Undone by Costly Errors

Team: 1 Luke Brookes, 2 Jacob Jones, 3 Jon Karimian, 4, George Angel, 5 Oli Hirst , 6 Ollie Millward, 7 Tom Devereaux, 8 Joe Garner, 9 Charlie Cuervo, 10 Joe Gwyther (C), 11 Louis Bounds, 12 Tyler Pickford, 13 Alex Jordan, 14, Solomon Poole, 15, Will Craven*

Replacements: 16, Tom Roaf, 17 Lewis Gunn, 18 Charlie Adams (*Debut)

Scorers:

Try: Bounds

Pens: Gwyther (2)

Guildford began 2025 at Broadwater Park with a challenging fixture against third-placed Winchester, after last weekend’s clash with Tottonians was postponed due to unplayable pitches. (That match is now rescheduled for 8 February). Despite a chilly and overcast afternoon, the atmosphere was buoyed by the club’s “Minis Takeover” day, with enthusiastic Under-9s selecting the pre-match lunch menu, providing player portraits for the team sheet and forming a Guard of Honour as both teams took to the field.

Enforced changes once again shaped Guildford’s line-up. In the forwards, Jacob Jones donned the No.2 shirt following an injury to Ed Pasfield - who is sadly ruled out for the remainder of the season. The hosts were, however, bolstered by the return of Oli Millward at blindside flanker, deputising for the unavailable Jordan Brodley. A late training setback on Thursday also sidelined captain Alex Foley, his second-row berth handed to Oli Hirst. There was a welcome sight on the bench in the shape of experienced campaigner Lewis Gunn, who returned to the squad after a brief retirement.

In the backs, fly-half Joe Gwyther took over the captaincy for the first time this season, while winger Louis Bounds made a comeback from a long injury layoff. Completing the reshuffle, Will Craven made his debut at full-back, stepping in for the injured Ieuan Jones.

Guildford began with admirable determination, showing defensive aggression and, at times, dominance in the breakdown. However, Winchester had the upper hand in the scrum and line-out, and Guildford’s attack, repeatedly disrupted by stray passes, struggled to find a level of fluency. Those handling errors would prove costly.

It took 11 minutes for Winchester to open the scoring, capitalising on a turnover against the head at a scrum inside Guildford’s 22. They crossed beneath the posts, but the conversion was missed when the kicking tee went astray, and the impromptu drop-goal attempt drifted wide (0–5).

Guildford, playing towards the road end, pressed forward with some decent territorial gains. Midway through the half, they earned a penalty in a promising position, which Gwyther duly converted to cut the deficit (3–5). The contest remained finely balanced, with Winchester trying to move the ball wide at every opportunity but meeting resolute resistance from the home defence.

It was only in the final ten minutes of the half that Winchester managed their second try, again unconverted (3–10). Undeterred, Guildford responded just before the interval. Winger Bounds, returning to action in typically robust style, shrugged off a would-be tackler to crash over in the corner. The conversion missed its mark, but the hosts ended the half narrowly adrift (8–10).

Half-time: 8–10

Guildford’s hopes of a strong second-half start were dented almost immediately, with Winchester recording their third unconverted try (8–15). The hosts kept in touch when another penalty allowed Gwyther to slot three more points (11–15), maintaining a slender chance of an upset.

However, two quick Winchester tries - both unconverted - shortly afterwards stretched their lead to 11–25 and left Guildford facing an uphill struggle. A series of promising opportunities followed for the home side, but each time the final pass went astray, or support arrived too late, resulting in turnovers. Winchester applied the finishing touch in the final minute with another unconverted score (11–32).

Though the margin may have flattered the visitors, Guildford were once again undone by lapses in execution at key moments. Nevertheless, their gritty defence and renewed commitment in contact will offer hope for the weeks ahead.

Guildford now have a rest week before a crucial away fixture at Newbury on 1 February - an encounter between two sides looking to climb away from the foot of the table. With the prospect of doing the double, Guildford will be keen to capitalise on this chance to build momentum. Your support on the road could prove invaluable.

Full-time: Guildford 11 – 32 Winchester

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