Wimbledon RFC Exact Revenge On CS Stags

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Rugby result: CS Stags 15 v Wimbledon 46

London & SE Premier League, 14 September

On an unseasonably hot day and a sun-baked pitch Wimbledon exacted sweet revenge for their two narrow defeats at the hands of their hosts last season. And they did it in real style, despite fielding a side with seven changes from last week’s starting XV.

 

It didn’t start too well for Dons though, conceding two soft tries to Stag’s lively backs in the first eight minutes, one of them converted. But between those scores Wimbledon gave a glimpse of what was to come with a series of impressive driving mauls ending with hooker Josh Forrester touching down and no.10 Steve Boatman converting well to make it 12-7.

 

During the next 15 minutes Dons’ pack took control over their opposition and only good defence by Stags’ back line prevented further scores. But then the Wimbledon pack, urged on by scrum half Campbell Musson, bundled over Stags’ line again for Forrester to claim his second try and Boatman his second conversion, giving Dons a two point lead. Moments later Stags went ahead again through a simple penalty conversion, but their lead was short-lived; on the half-hour the pack did it again, this time with lock Jack Cook claiming the score to make it 15-19.

 

The impressive new wing Ollie Kitto was yellow-carded for an over-zealous tackle, but the remaining 14 men finished the half on a high; no.8 Chris York, won yet another lineout after some fine play by the backs  and the scrum powered over again to give Forrester a hat-trick try, and his team the bonus point.

 

Resuming at 15-24 and with a number of changes, Boatman’s boot quickly took the score to 15-27. His break soon after led to a fine, flowing backs move, finishing with wing Alex Kane sprinting over in the corner to extend the lead to 15-32, further extended to 15-34 by Boatman’s conversion. Five minutes later Kane got his second try after a nice break by fullback Freddie Hooper had set in motion another lovely piece of play by the backline, and it was now 15-39. 

 

After York and his lifters had claimed yet another re-start, centre Jack Reville made a neat break, play moved rapidly downfield and ended with a fine try by the no.8, to cap his excellent all-round performance. Boatman’s conversion produced the final score of 15-46.

 

A spirited ten minutes of attacking play by the Stags before the whistle was repelled by a very sound-looking Dons defence to round off a very tidy and complete performance. They’ll look for more of the same next week at home to Sevenoaks.

 

Meanwhile, in deepest Gloucestershire, Wimbledon 2nd X, coming from 24-10 down, produced a great result by drawing 24-24 with the 2nd XV of National League 1 side, Cinderford, further emphasising Wimbledon’s excellent strength in depth this season.

September 25, 2019