HOCKEY
Winchester V 3, IW 4
IW MADE a winning start to their new campaign in Hampshire 5, with an entertaining victory at Winchester.
With a new-look line-up, IW took time to settle, with Winchester putting pressure on Tom Butt, who had a great game in goal.
However, eventually the pressure paid off and Winchester drew first blood with a rebounded shot.
The lead didn’t last long as IW regrouped and equalised through James Liddiard but again Winchester came back, retaking the lead with a powerful shot.
The end-to-end game continued when Craig Bruce broke through to make it 2-2.
In the second half, IW took control with debutant and man of the match John Peatfield linking up well with Richard Reynolds, while defenders Jonty Leggett, Ollie Stubbings and Dan Bartlett were standing firm.
One sublime team passing move almost resulted in a goal, while Colin Simmonds and Simon Butler linked up well during a penalty corner, only for the latter’s powerful shot to clip the outside of the post and go wide.
The pressure would tell though and Liddiard got his second, reacting to a loose ball and slotting home, while Bruce doubled the lead, evading several challenges and lifting the ball over the keeper.
A late Winchester goal ensured the last few minutes were nervy but the IW held on.
IW: Butt, Stubbings, Leggett, Bartlett, Peatfield, Gould, Simmonds, Liddiard, Reynolds, Butler, Bruce.