EVENTS either side of the festive period have proved very fruitful for Purley John Fisher, as they posted two league victories to climb out of the London Three South West relegation zone.

The side backed up their impressive win over Old Freemen's with this victory at home to Winchester to move up to ninth in the table. What is even more encouraging is the fact that these were against sides that had both beaten PJF well earlier in the season.

PJF have shown tremendous spirit and determination to turn their season around and this effort was built on a stalwart and stubborn defence that worked very hard to give very little away.

Set-pieces went to form as PJF secured valuable possession with which they ensured good field position and territory.

Chances were few and far between and PJF made the most of theirs as they bravely hung on to shade this result against a determined and well organised visiting outfit.

It was vital to build on the victory over Winchester, a game they triumphed 19-13.

Freemen's were a tough side on a run of four straight defeats, whereby PJF were on the up with increasing squad depth and quality.

PJF looked dominate in the start retaining possession and forcing errors. First blood came when fly-half Stephann Pretorius kicked the ball to the corner behind the defence and yet another fine finish from Brian Williams who collected and touched down. The resulting touch line conversion was also successfully kicked by Pretorius.

Freemen's then seemed to wake from their slumber and regained some of the form displayed in the beginning of the season as they scored a well worked try utilising the rolling maul to great effect.

PJF suffered as the man with the whistle did not believe in competition at the breakdown and thus sin binned Tom Leather for reasons still in discussion.

Both sides moved to a kicking battle to avoid being penalised at the breakdown and the game then turned into a series of penalty kicks awarded for both sides. The official virtually killed the game as play was being restricted to two phases; however PJF edged this competition with more possession and a drop kick from Stephann.