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Sat 12 Sep 2015 · National League 3
Hertford
1st XV
25
10
Hertford 25 - Wimbledon 10
James Boatman14 Sep 2015 - 12:46
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Wimbledon traveled to Hertford on Saturday with twelve changes from the squad that faced Shelford the previous week...
Hertford 25 – Wimbledon 10
Wimbledon traveled to Hertford on Saturday with twelve changes from the squad that faced Shelford the previous week as the coaches give everybody a chance to claim a regular place in the team. The result was encouraging and at 72 minutes with the score at 15 – 10 Wimbledon were hoping to bring back a losing bonus point. But then cramps set in to Campbell Tait and Steve May and the resulting re-organisation led to Hertford eventually scoring a penalty and a converted try by their outside half Richard Gregg to widen their margin and in some ways flatter their superiority.
After the match Wimbledon coach Mark Percival was philosophical saying that at this level you get fewer chances to score and of the three made by Wimbledon they only scored one try. Hertford made more and scored three tries from theirs. But for all this, the Wimbledon line-out went well with lock Campbell Tait and no.8 Gary Crowe securing good ball from accurate throwing from hooker Jesse Muir. The front row of Roy Godfrey, Muir and Josh Bayford with James Gillespie also involved were solid.
New winger Adam Stroud also looked sharp with what little ball he received and full-back Rhys Morgan (who went to scrum half following a thigh injury to Max Adkins) and outside half Bryan Croke made welcome returns to the team. Hertford’s tries came from left winger Maderi on 3 minutes after linking with full back Murphy, on 20 minutes with no.8 Macdougall with a conversion by outside half Gregg, who also scored a penalty to take a lead of Hertford 15, Wimbledon 3 at half time. Wimbledon’s points coming from a series of penalties that had the referee warning Hertford’s captain about his team.
The second half had Wimbledon with a wind behind them and Croke’s kicks made much more ground than had Gregg’s in the first half. Wimbledon also used their driving maul very well at least twice with up to 30m being gained, one into the corner on 62 minutes gave Morgan his opportunity and he burrowed his way over for Wimbledon’s try. Croke’s conversion was expertly taken and Wimbledon were back in the match with 15 minutes to play. However it wasn’t to be and Hertford’s late penalty plus a try and conversion by Gregg sealed Hertford’s victory.
Next Saturday Wimbledon will be at home to Tonbridge Juddians with 3pm kick-off.
Wimbledon traveled to Hertford on Saturday with twelve changes from the squad that faced Shelford the previous week as the coaches give everybody a chance to claim a regular place in the team. The result was encouraging and at 72 minutes with the score at 15 – 10 Wimbledon were hoping to bring back a losing bonus point. But then cramps set in to Campbell Tait and Steve May and the resulting re-organisation led to Hertford eventually scoring a penalty and a converted try by their outside half Richard Gregg to widen their margin and in some ways flatter their superiority.
After the match Wimbledon coach Mark Percival was philosophical saying that at this level you get fewer chances to score and of the three made by Wimbledon they only scored one try. Hertford made more and scored three tries from theirs. But for all this, the Wimbledon line-out went well with lock Campbell Tait and no.8 Gary Crowe securing good ball from accurate throwing from hooker Jesse Muir. The front row of Roy Godfrey, Muir and Josh Bayford with James Gillespie also involved were solid.
New winger Adam Stroud also looked sharp with what little ball he received and full-back Rhys Morgan (who went to scrum half following a thigh injury to Max Adkins) and outside half Bryan Croke made welcome returns to the team. Hertford’s tries came from left winger Maderi on 3 minutes after linking with full back Murphy, on 20 minutes with no.8 Macdougall with a conversion by outside half Gregg, who also scored a penalty to take a lead of Hertford 15, Wimbledon 3 at half time. Wimbledon’s points coming from a series of penalties that had the referee warning Hertford’s captain about his team.
The second half had Wimbledon with a wind behind them and Croke’s kicks made much more ground than had Gregg’s in the first half. Wimbledon also used their driving maul very well at least twice with up to 30m being gained, one into the corner on 62 minutes gave Morgan his opportunity and he burrowed his way over for Wimbledon’s try. Croke’s conversion was expertly taken and Wimbledon were back in the match with 15 minutes to play. However it wasn’t to be and Hertford’s late penalty plus a try and conversion by Gregg sealed Hertford’s victory.
Next Saturday Wimbledon will be at home to Tonbridge Juddians with 3pm kick-off.
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