Wimbledon RFC 1XV 0 v Haywards Heath 39
Wimbledon's injury toll continues to plague the team. On Saturday (January 22) the game was just 20 minutes old before wing Mike Willoughby (knee) and scrum-half Alex Pyes (ankle) took knocks that are likely to rule them out for some time, as have half the 1st XV squad.
Up to then Wimbledon just had the edge in this fast-flowing game and a tight result looked on the cards, although Haywards Heath’s heavier pack were beginning to show their driving skills and demonstrated them after 35 minutes when prop Burnham touched down for a pushover try.
Then came the killer blow for Wimbledon, with flanker Ed Lewis and no 8 Julian Callanan – who had another outstanding game – yellow carded within 30 seconds of each other.
In the five minutes either side of half time Heath took full advantage of their numerical superiority with wing Murrills and centres Henry and Hollingham running in simple tries out wide, the last two converted by no.10 Phillips.
While Heath now had their tails up and were brimming with confidence Dons' efforts to reduce the 22-0 deficit resulted some sloppy play and hard-won possession was too often meekly given back to the opposition.
There were one or two bright patches from Wimbledon, aided by some good distribution from no.10 Elroy Cupido (brought out of retirement for the third time this season).
But with Heath's backs relishing the amount ball they had and running some good lines, further scores were inevitable and Phillip helped himself to two more tries and wing Hoare one, the former converting all three.
Wimbledon next travel to Portsmouth where they will try to lift themselves from the relegation zone once more.
January 28, 2011