Southend Saxons 12 - Wimbledon 34

Southend 12 - Wimbledon 34
This was the first time that Wimbledon had visited Southend and they came away with an impressive bonus point victory after scoring five tries. Wimbledon’s first try came from a Southend lineout steal from flanker Gary Crowe leading to a driving maul making a ten metre advance and scrumhalf Rhys Morgan running through the retreating defence to score under the posts after four minutes. Bryan Croke made no mistake with the conversion. This stung Southend into action and after 12 minutes their fullback Gary Andrews broke through to score, outside half Tom Ashton made the conversion and levelled the score. On 14 minutes a crosskick from Croke found left wing Josh Charles who round the Southend defence and scored wide out. The conversion attempt was missed. Southend, despite playing into the wind, kicked their penalties to touch, but with a steady scrum their defence was breached by Bryan Croke who intercepted in midfield and ran through under the posts, with a simple conversion following to take Wimbledon to 19 – 7.

A knee injury to tighthead Josh Bayford led to him being replaced by Ben Brooks, this caused some scrum problems that led to a number of penalties awarded at the scrum, both teams being penalised in turn by the referee. Kicks to the touchline were missed until eventually Wimbledon were awarded one in their favour and with the ball needing to be held upright on the tee, Bryan Croke made no mistake with the kick. A half time score of 22 – 7 was a good reward for Wimbledon’s territory and possession with the wind behind them. The second half began with a series of scrum penalties in Wimbledon’s 22, but several times Southend declined the points on offer and requested another scrum, eventually the referee Mr Lewars lost patience and awarded a yellow card against Wimbledon, this resulted in one uncontested scrum after a lengthy conference between the referee and the captains. Despite more penalties Southend kept kicking to touch and then knocking-on in midfield. Wimbledon’s next try came shortly after this when a typically powerful charge from loosehead prop Roy Godfrey aided by captain Dylan Flashman, the ball was run down the line and right wing Tommy Moore weaved in and passed to fullback Dave Bennett who returned the pass and Moore was over the line for the bonus point try. This was converted by Croke. On 63 minutes Wimbledon sent on Noah Jarvis for Jack Reville and Ben Newman for Rhys Morgan. Wimbledon’s final try came on 70 minutes when a kick through from Bryan Croke was collected on the bounce and the Southend defence were outpaced by the outside half, the try went unconverted. Despite encouragement from Flashman to keep defending, Southend had the final score when their replacement forward Sam Fombo was able to power his way over in the corner.

On the final whistle this writer was able to move to the last few minutes on the adjacent pitch and see Wimbledon’s 2nd team score their final try through lock Tyler Flashman to win their match 48 – 26 against Southend 2nd XV to make for a happy visit to the seaside.
Next Saturday Wimbledon will be at home to 4th placed Tonbridge Juddians with a 3.00pm kick-off.