Wimbledon 12 - Tunbridge Juddian 25

Wimbledon 12 – Tonbridge Juddians 25

Wimbledon suffered their first defeat of the season against an impressive Tonbridge Juddians side who clearly want to go one better than runners-up this year. The outcome was not unexpected given that the visitors won both matches against Wimbledon last year and Wimbledon’s wide and hard pitch is suited to running rugby. Throughout the match the Wimbledon scrum was under some pressure with changes at half time improving matters but the home team were never able to gain any supremacy. The line-out was also under strain with Wimbledon’s Gary Crowe suffering a jaw injury in the opening minutes and this reduced the line-out options available. But worse was to come when a shoulder injury to Bryan Croke caused the back division to be reorganised. This resulted from a late and high tackle, which earned a yellow card to a Juddians forward. That Wimbledon led in the match more than once and only at the end did the pressure of Tonbridge Juddians tell in their monopoly of possession.

Wimbledon opened the scoring after 11 minutes with a superb try after centre Aaron Lowe made a break deep into the visitors half with a pass to left wing Dave Bennett who gave a perfectly timed pass back inside to no.8 Roy Godfrey who scored near to the posts. The conversion by Croke was a formality and with Juddians keeping to their pick and go tactic at every opportunity, then a penalty was going to be the result. On 19 minutes Juddians’ outside half Liam Prescott kicked the first of his scores. The next incident of note was a Tonbridge attack which fortunately was knocked-on in goal, a let-off which was cleared from the resulting scrum, but continued pressure saw a penalty awarded which Prescott managed to miss off the goalposts, another let-off for the home team. On 32 minutes the Juddians tighthead Whitmarsh scored to put the visitors into the lead for the first time. Again Prescott missed with the conversion, but Wimbledon gained possession from a penalty by Juddians not rolling away, Wimbledon’s attack gave wing Dave Bennett a chance but the defence tackled him near to the line. The play was taken back for a Wimbledon penalty but from 40 metres Croke was unable to take advantage into the wind. The half-time score of 8 – 7 to Tonbridge Juddians was not a reflection on their domination of territory and possession.

At half time a reorganised Wimbledon front row was able to gain some stability but with replacement tight head Bradley Ugodulunwa much shorter than his Tonbridge opponent he was always going to receive censure from the referee. A yellow card resulted and with Kane Alboni on for Gary Crowe, Wimbledon were clearly much lighter in the pack than the Juddians. Despite this and using what possession they had well, Wimbledon scored on 50 minutes when the ball was moved across the field for Aaron Lowe to score, the conversion was missed but at 12 – 8 to the home team the lead was regained. Another penalty from Prescott closed the margin to 12- 11. Juddians kept up their pressure, took penalties and Prescott tried a drop goal attempt, it missed, but their lead was regained when Juddians flanker Colderick burst over and Prescott converted. The final score went to Juddians very tall forward replacement Watson, with Prescott converting.

Wimbledon’s 2nd team also lost their match at home to Old Albanians 2nd XV 35 – 52 with the visitors top of the table with five wins from five. Wimbledon are presently in ninth place.
Next Saturday Wimbledon will be away to Westcliff with a 3.00pm kick-off.