Winchester run riot as Guildford slump to defeat at Broadwater

Guildford Rugby Club

Winchester run riot as Guildford slump to defeat at Broadwater

Guildford 5 – 66 Winchester

14th February 2026

Team: 1 Paddy Wood, 2 Jacob Jones, 3 Jon Karimian**, 4 Alex Burill, 5 Jamie Curtis, 6 Matt Naeem, 7 Tom Devereux, 8 Oli Millward (c), 9 Liam Driscoll, 10 Joe Gwyther*, 11 Josh Jones, 12 Tyler Pickford, 13 Charlie Cutting, 14 Solomon Poole, 15 Will Craven

Replacements: 16 Harry Burt, 17 Coby Coy, 18 James Coates

Scorers:

Tries: Craven

Cons:

Pens:

(*50 caps; **100 caps)

Guildford’s bid for breathing space in the relegation battle suffered a bruising setback on Saturday as Winchester showed no mercy in a ten-try demolition at Broadwater Park

Entering the contest in urgent need of points, any points, would have offered some comfort with a demanding run-in to come, instead, Guildford were left empty-handed after a chastening 66–5 defeat that leaves them glancing anxiously over their shoulders.

After weeks of relentless rain to start 2026, the morning brought a welcome change: crisp winter sunshine and clear skies. The Broadwater surface, soft and worn in places, had held up well all things considered and provided a serviceable stage for what promised to be a crucial afternoon.

There were eight changes to the Guildford side from the trip to the south coast a fortnight earlier, most of them positional. Coby Coy returned after a lengthy absence with a knee injury, while Paddy Wood was back from a month travelling in South-East Asia. Notably, Jon Karimian marked his 100th cap and Joe Gwyther his 50th, milestones worthy of celebration on a day that would otherwise offer little cheer.

Playing towards the road, Guildford began brightly. Their line speed in defence was sharp, Charlie Cutting and Tyler Pickford looked composed in midfield, and Tom Devereux, Karimian and Oli Millward were prominent around the breakdown, cutting down anything that lifted above grass level.

The attack too, functioned with purpose in the early exchanges. Quick ball allowed Liam Driscoll to bring the backs into play, and after sustained pressure Solomon Poole broke down the wing, with Will Craven in support to cross for the opening try after six minutes. Gwyther’s conversion drifted wide, but Guildford led 5–0.

Winchester responded swiftly, levelling with an unconverted try after 13 minutes to make it 5–5. At this stage Guildford were more than holding their own. The scrum, a source of concern at times this season, was solid. On the visitors’ put-in it held firm; on their own, Guildford generated occasional drives and earned a couple of penalties, clear evidence of diligent work on the training ground. In rugby, a reliable scrum is a platform from which everything else can grow, and here at least there were signs of progress.

Yet for all that improvement, Winchester found space out wide and struck again, this time adding the conversion to move 12–5 ahead.

Guildford remained in the contest, but the line-out began to undermine them. Overthrows, mistimed lifts and a failure to secure first contact turned promising field position into frustration. When penalties allowed Gwyther to pin Winchester deep, the opportunity went begging through an inconsistent set-piece. By contrast, the visitors were clinical, adding another converted try before the interval.

Half-time: Guildford 5–19 Winchester

In the corresponding fixture earlier in the season, Winchester had secured their four-try bonus point before the break. On this occasion they needed only two minutes of the second half to claim it, crossing again to extend the lead to 5-26.

Guildford rallied and enjoyed a promising spell built on that sturdy scrum platform. Strong carries, quick ruck ball and sustained pressure carried them deep into the Winchester 22. But, just as momentum seemed to be building, a dropped ball proved costly. Winchester seized upon it and ran the length of the field for a converted try that pushed the score to 5-33 and effectively extinguished the home side’s hopes.

Another converted score followed for 5-40, and thereafter the contest became increasingly one-sided. Whether fatigue took hold or confidence drained away, Guildford could not stem the tide. Winchester, rampant and ruthless, ran in four further converted tries in the final nine minutes to complete an emphatic 5-66 Valentines Day massacre.

For long stretches of the first half Guildford were competitive, underpinned by a solid scrum. But with a malfunctioning line-out they were always likely to struggle against opposition of this quality.

The wider picture now grows more uncomfortable. Twickenham’s win lifts them above Guildford in the table, while Chobham sit just four points adrift. The forthcoming fixtures against both sides carry considerable significance in the fight for survival. Any bonus points, or better, from the other remaining matches could yet prove decisive in avoiding the relegation play-off.

Full-time: Guildford 5–66 Winchester

Guildford have a week to regroup before returning to Broadwater Park on 28 February to face Old Tiffs (kick-off 2.30pm, TBC) in what promises to be another stern examination. In the meantime, the 2026 Six Nations begins, with all matches shown in the clubhouse, where support, as ever, will be warmly welcomed.

Mike Burden

#ComeOnGs

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