Dover 34 v Wimbledon RFC 1XV 6
The long away trip to Dover, a team who have only lost twice at home this season, had a likely outcome on Saturday (February 12).
Wimbledon were forced into four more changes from the team that played the previous Saturday against Chichester. Dover's quite slippery pitch was no help to the visitors either, not that the home team found it a problem.
Their heavy forwards kept marching on and although they had a players sin-binned on the way they still managed their bonus point for scoring four tries, Wimbledon came away it is hoped intact with no more injuries but Julian Callanan again had to leave the field after a knock. As he is one of only a few players with 'go forward' in the present team this could be yet another problem.
For Wimbledon there were some positives, Leon Driscoll (who kicked the two penalties) had a good game at outside half and the two Bens, Davies and Morgan managed to get reaction from some Dover forwards.
At scrum half James Hayes found an opponent who used his mouth freely but coped well with him, Joey Nanai at loose-head also provoked adverse comments from the home supporters and the replacement of Dover’s tight head, so he too must have had a good match.
This fixture was postponed from the bad weather before Christmas and Wimbledon will be meeting Dover again in eight weeks time.
On Saturday (February 19) Wimbledon 1st XV have another away trip to the coast, this time to Hove with a 2.30pm kick-off.
February 16, 2011