Sutton & Epsom 13 – 43 Wimbledon

Sutton & Epsom 13 – 43 Wimbledon

After Dorking last week it was newly-promoted Sutton & Epsom’s turn to find out
what life is like in National League 3. they were clearly surprised at the power and
mobility of Wimbledon’s forwards and the attacking flair and rock solid defence of
their backs.

It took just three minutes for the Wimbledon pack to drive over the Sutton line and for
prop Roy Godfrey to touch down, following a powerful rolling maul and a succession
of individual drives. No.10 Bryan Croke used the strong tail wind to good effect to
ensure the conversion.

After 15 minutes the home team entered Don’s 22 for the first time, but they were
soon robbed of possession and play quickly moved downfield, where skipper Dylan
Flashman, aided by front-rowers Bayford and Muir, almost scored, but had to settle in
the end for a Croke penalty. Three minutes later however, the try came, fullback Dave
Bennett finishing a lovely move from Don’s own 22 involving at least eight pairs of
hands. Croke again converted to take the score to 0-17.

The last 10 minutes of the half produced two more tries for Wimbledon, the first after
a huge touch kick from Croke, a quick throw-in and a drive by the back row to put
centre Aaron Lowe over. Fellow centre Jack Reville got the second, after another
flowing move again created by ball won in the loose by the forwards. Croke made
both conversions look easy.
Five minutes into the second half Sutton’s fly-half Sam Hurley reduced their deficit to
3-31 with a penalty in front of the posts, then to 6-31 with another from the same spot.

Of the three or four Wimbledon players in a position to score their fifth try it was the
ever-supporting Jesse Muir who had the honour after the forwards, chiefly through
Josh Bayford and Dylan Thomas, had again stolen Sutton ball.
Entering the final quarter Croke once again did was he does so well, gathering his
own chip ahead to run in under the posts, making the conversion a formality and the
score 6-43.

In the dying minutes, the home team took advantage of the loss through injury of
Wimbledon’s key jumper Campbell Tait and the replacement of thrower-in Muir, to
win good lineout ball and drive over from 5m for a try, well converted by Hurley.
Next week will be a tougher test for Wimbledon when their visitors will be Hertford,
also with two wins out of two.