Tunbridge Wells 10 v Wimbledon RFC 1XV 23
Wimbledon travelled to Tunbridge Wells with confidence on Saturday (November 13) after a week away from League action and started with a rolling maul that took the home team back many metres.
This was followed by a heavy scrum that made the Wells forwards understand that they could expect a hard afternoon.
After 14 minutes Wells were given a penalty for Wimbledon not rolling away in the tackle area, the Wells no.10 could not make the kick but had a second chance 3 minutes later, this time in front of the posts and the home team took a lead.
The Wells no.8, Lineham, who at times seemed to be the only forward playing for the home team, failed to regain his feet and Jonny Rawlinson for Wimbledon had his first success of the afternoon.
The first half continued with new Wimbledon no.15 David Sharp after 27 minutes being tackled in the air and Rawlinson put the penalty to the corner to take the lineout, from this possession a searing run by Wimbledon no.10 Leon Driscoll forced Wells into another penalty which Wimbledon turned into points.
By this time the Wimbledon scrum was on top and both props Steven May and Ben Davies giving their opponents a tough afternoon.
A 9 – 3 half-time lead was reasonable but better was to come in the second half despite a yellow card for a Wimbledon forward for careless use of his boot, Wimbledon’s first try by Rawlinson came on the 65th minute when he cut through from the touchline to score under the posts.
The conversion followed and at 16 – 3 it was the case of a victory within grasp. Five minutes later a thrilling move from 5 metres outside the Wimbledon line to the other end (including Tunbridge Wells’ slope) with Alex Pyes, Leon Driscoll and Jason Anquetil led to the flanker scoring. An easy conversion followed for a 23 – 3 lead.
To their credit in the final minute the Wells team with their forwards leading put pressure on a Wimbledon scrum in front of the posts which collapsed. Referee Mr Beglan awarded a penalty try immediately and the gap closed by 7 points to a final score of 23 – 10.
Next week (November 20) Wimbledon will be at home to London Irish Amateurs, kick-off at 2.30pm.
November 16, 2010
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