A late penalty by Winscombe sealed a narrow victory over Old Reds.

Old Reds 2nds 16 pts

Winscombe 18 pts

WINSCOMBE registered a narrow victory at Old Reds, thanks to a late penalty two minutes from time.

Winscombe conceded an early penalty in front of the posts to go three points down after only three minutes. From the restart, Reds launched a counter-attack which was halted by Lewis Podpadec’s cover tackle on his 22. He went on to make a number of important interventions in defence, as did Aaron Ford and Rhys Lewis.

Sam Dearsley cleared to find touch on halfway. Reds tried to run the ball but tackles by Lewis, Ryan Robinson, Podpadec and Ford limited their progress. A driving maul from a line-out was halted at the expense of a penalty and at the second attempt, Will Thomas was awarded the touch down as the driving maul crumpled over the line.

Dearsley’s conversion gave Winscombe a narrow lead on the stroke of half-time, but this looked insufficient as they turned around to face the slope and the wind.

Like the first, the second half started badly for the visitors with Reds kicking their second penalty after five minutes, but it was nullified by Dearsley four minutes later. Reds’ response was even swifter as they counter-attacked from Winscombe’s clearance and their outside centre broke through to score under the posts for a converted try.

Reds’ line-out let them down again allowing Winscombe to gain possession and win a penalty. From their throw-in on halfway, Dan Salway came into the line and Ford drove on from the breakdown before Dearsley bustled his way over from 30 metres on 57 minutes.

Another penalty restored Reds’ lead at 16-15 with five minutes remaining. From the restart, good work by Dan Fryer, Podpadec and Ford earned a penalty and Dearsley kicked them back into the lead with two minutes remaining.