Back on the Garenne Stand pitch at Footes Lane, the Sarnian side scored six tries in front of a good-sized crowd, but they were made to work for it by a spirited visiting side.

They welcomed back many of their regular experienced players for the contest, as well as handed a debut to hooker Daniel De Kock, who produced an inspired performance which resulted in three tries and a man-of-the-match award for his efforts.

After the defeat to US Portsmouth in their last game, the Vikings wanted to make a positive start to this contest, and they achieved just that.

They were ahead inside the first five minutes, thanks to a try from scrum-half Pierre de Garis. The home side was on the attack almost from the first whistle and had worked their way into the Winchester twenty-two. The forwards were carrying with endeavour to find a way through the visitor's defensive line, but in the end, de Garis spotted a gap and touched down. Dan Rice added the conversion.

Whilst the Vikings took an early lead, they were not able to extend that lead for some time, as Winchester proved to be a tough nut to crack. The visitors frustrated the black and yellows with resolute defence, particularly at the breakdown where they secured several turnovers.

Dan Brown was introduced from the replacements after 25 mins and he provided a positive impact, with strong carries that were taking several Winchester defenders a time to halt him.

Unfortunately, the home side soon lost flanker Tom Yarwood, who was having a strong game. He made an impressive tackle on one of the visitors' big front-row players but became trapped underneath the player in the aftermath. He was attended to by the Vikings medical team, before being withdrawn.

St Jacques also lost Joe Le Roux for 10 mins, after a series of repetitive team infringements saw the centre yellow carded.

After 30 minutes of stalemate, the home side managed to break the deadlock. They had been awarded a penalty and kicked to the corner. From 5m out they successfully caught and drove towards the line with a powerful maul, which hooker De Kock was at the back of and subsequently scored. The conversion was missed.

Winchester were down but they were very much still in the game. They quickly got themselves back into possession following the restart, and they capitalised from this to score an unconverted try as half-time beckoned.

The second period started brightly for the Sarnian side, with the words of coach Alec Bailey still ringing in their ears, they appeared to find another level after the restart.

After securing a turnover following a big tackle by Dan Rice deep in the Winchester twenty-two, the home side were awarded a scrum. From that set piece they executed a high-quality launch move that saw the ball moved through the hands before captain Matt Lomas delivered a sublime long-range pass to Kieran Creber, who touched down in the corner. Rice added the touchline conversion.

The visitors worked their way back into the contest though with another score however, to keep the pressure on the Vikings.

It was the home side who scored next, after Rice delivered a clever kick through which was mishandled by Winchester and went into touch. From 20m out they caught and drove at the lineout and were again marching towards the line. The maul was halted, but De Kock was quick to respond by bursting through the Winchester defence to score. The conversion was missed.

The driving maul was proving to be a very effective weapon for St Jacques, and they extended their lead once again from it. This time from 5m out, Tom Creed caught the ball, and once again De Kock was on the end of it to touch down for this hat-trick score. The conversion was narrowly missed.

Sam Clarke had the final say on the match after the Vikings winger spotted a gap in the tiring Winchester defence. He showed impressive power to force his way through, and he had just enough to see off the final defender and touch down. Rice added the extra two points as the game drew towards the conclusion.

In the end, it was a good win for the Vikings, but they were made to work for it, and it was certainly not a perfect showing. But they had more than enough in the end to come away with a bonus-point victory in front of their home supporters.

Next up for St Jacques is another home encounter, where they welcome Fordingbridge to Footes Lane next Saturday. This time on the club pitch, kick-off is 1.30 PM.

There will also be live Six Nations action in the clubhouse, after the Vikings match.