Dons Return To Form with a Huge Win
Rugby Result: Wimbledon 87-3 Tunbridge Wells
Picture: Wimbledon RFC
The scoreline is a fair reflection of the game, Tunbridge Wells being outplayed on every front, and not allowed a look-in. In their defence Wimbledon did produce their best performance for some time.
The visitors did manage to win most of their own scrums and lineouts but Wimbledon’s line speed and aggressive tackling normally won back possession within a phase or two. That is when Tunbridge Wells’ defence – or lack of – was brutally exposed by Don’s free-running backs. That said, their mobile forwards frequently joined in the fun, often supporting and handling as well as their backs.
It took just a minute for centre Henry Peuble to cut through Tunbrdge Wells’ defence and pass to no.10 Jake Noble running a great line to score beneath the posts. His own conversion was the first of his eight during the game.
After ten minutes or so Tunbridge Wells made their first excursion into Don’s half, where they won a penalty converted by fly-half Finn White for what was to be their only score of the day. Five minutes later fullback Ollie Kitto produced one of his lovely jinking runs, the ball then taken on by centre Paul Hendry who shot through a tiny gap to score. The first of only two missed conversions all afternoon left the score at 12-3. Fifteen minutes on wing Finn Taylor rounded off an excellent move involving most of the back line to score Wimbledon’s third try.
The fourth came after their first scrum 5m out from which they drove over for no.8 Jake Rigby to score. Hendry soon added the fifth, after a classy run from his own 22, so classy he didn’t need the totally unmarked James Millais outside him. But the wing quickly overcame his disappointment by touching down after another bout of superb interplay by half a dozen players. Almost immediately, after a strong run by flanker (normally hooker) Tyler Reichardt, Millais got another, the conversion taking it to 47-3.
Excellent support by Noble then brought his second try following a nice break by Taylor, before Alex Kerr – on the field as replacement scrum half for just 20 seconds – took a peach of a pass from skipper Josh Bayford to round off the first half try-fest at 61-3.
The second half was more of the same as a tiring but still spirited Tunbridge Wells had to watch Don’s flowing rugby produce tries for Millais again, following a quick turnover by Rigby, Taylor from another turnover, Reichardt, finishing off a powerful drive, this time converted from out wide by Peuble, and finally Hendry, having outpaced half the field, with Peuble adding his second conversion.
If Wimbledon produce rugby like this away next week to second-placed Dorking, they might just avenge their one point defeat by them earlier this season.
Like Reading Articles Like This? Help Us Produce More This site remains committed to providing local community news and public interest journalism. Articles such as the one above are integral to what we do. We aim to feature as much as possible on local societies, charities based in the area, fundraising efforts by residents, community-based initiatives and even helping people find missing pets. We've always done that and won't be changing, in fact we'd like to do more. However, the readership that these stories generates is often below that needed to cover the cost of producing them. Our financial resources are limited and the local media environment is intensely competitive so there is a constraint on what we can do. We are therefore asking our readers to consider offering financial support to these efforts. Any money given will help support community and public interest news and the expansion of our coverage in this area. A suggested monthly payment is £8 but we would be grateful for any amount for instance if you think this site offers the equivalent value of a subscription to a daily printed newspaper you may wish to consider £20 per month. If neither of these amounts is suitable for you then contact info@neighbournet.com and we can set up an alternative. All payments are made through a secure web site. One-off donations are also appreciated. Choose The Amount You Wish To Contribute. If you do support us in this way we'd be interested to hear what kind of articles you would like to see more of on the site – send your suggestions to the editor. For businesses we offer the chance to be a corporate sponsor of community content on the site. For £30 plus VAT per month you will be the designated sponsor of at least one article a month with your logo appearing if supplied. If there is a specific community group or initiative you'd like to support we can make sure your sponsorship is featured on related content for a one off payment of £50 plus VAT. All payments are made through a secure web site. |
April 5, 2022