WINDSOR failed in their attempts to complete a hat-trick of wins in the South West One East after a 20-10 defeat against rivals Beaconsfield on Saturday.
The Home Park-based club won their two previous matches against Buckingham and Royal Wootton Bassett but suffered a first loss in 2020 as Beaconsfield completed the league double over them.
The club hosted three matches for the first time this season with the second and third teams both at Home Park as well and the scene was set for the derby match.
Windsor were hoping to build on a famous win at Wootton Bassett the previous week whilst Beaconsfield were out to bounce back from a home defeat against Buckingham.
The visitors made the more positive start and opened the scoring inside the first five minutes with a try from Henry Revill which was converted by influential captain and scrum half Aled Lewis. The Bucks club increased the advantage with a penalty kick from Lewis.
Windsor finally opened their account with a Jack Gaylor penalty 10 minutes before the half-time whistle. The score appeared to bring the hosts to life and, following a good attacking move moments later, second row Sam Woodhall crashed over the line to level the scores.
Beaconsfield were quick to bounce back, and after an infringement, Lewis kicked another penalty from the 10-metre line to give his side a 13-10 lead on the half-time whistle.
PHOTO: Windsor head coach, Jack Pattinson.
The home crowd were looking for an improved second half performance as Windsor failed to capitalise on the territory and possession they had in the first half, mainly due to conceding too many penalties and poor decision-making.
Their performance however continued to be disjointed and they continued to repeat the mistakes made in the first period.
Beaconsfield went on to increase the advantage further with a try from Matt Browne with Lewis booting the conversion.
The result was a great disappointment to Windsor head coach Jack Pattinson and his coaching team as well as the players and home supporters following the performance the previous week.
The result however will act as a wake-up call to the squad and highlight that there is still plenty of work to do to secure their status in the league for next season.
The defeat means Windsor stand in 11th position in the table and seven points above the relegation zone although Wimborne in 12th place have a game in hand.
Windsor now have a week off to recharge their batteries after three hard league matches in succession and ahead of a return to action and bottom side Salisbury on Saturday 1st February. Salisbury have lost in all their 17 league matches so far this season including a 33-21 defeat at Windsor back in October.
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