Hertford 14 - Wimbledon 26

Hertford 14 - Wimbledon 26
Wimbledon opened 2017 with two impressive victories away at Hertford, firstly the 2nd XV with a 36 – 21 result that took them to 2nd place in the Zoo League Division 2 and the First XV gaining an away victory under floodlights in National League 3 to strengthen their 2nd place.

Wimbledon opened the scoring on 6 minutes through right wing Dave Bennett after a burst through from full back Matt Gilbert, this was from a scrum where no.8 Roy Godfrey picked-up and the ball went through the hands of scrum half Rhys Morgan to set the straight, direct run from Gilbert. Outside half Bryan Croke made no mistake with the conversion, the first of three that he scored. Just four minutes later a break from Morgan passing to centre Aaron Lowe who set up the ruck near to the Hertford line, with the ball recycled Roy Godfrey drove his way over the line for Wimbledon’s second, this time nearer the posts for the conversion. After 21 minutes Hertford’s flanker Dave Archer was given a yellow card, the resulting penalty gave a field position near to the Hertford line and this time hooker Jesse Muir drove over for Wimbledon’s third try, again a straightforward conversion was taken by Croke. By this time Hertford had settled down and were awarded a penalty after Wimbledon’s scrum went down but Wimbledon managed to pinch the resulting Hertford line-out. However on 32 min Hertford winger Paddy Kelly managed to score with the referee playing advantage after Wimbledon knocked on in front of the posts, the conversion was taken by outside half Ben Lloyd.
On 36 minutes Wimbledon completed their scoring with the fourth try, the ball was spun down the line to the left side and winger Josh Charles muscled his way into the left hand corner. This time Croke was unable to convert but Wimbledon went to half time 26 – 7 in the lead.
The second half saw Wimbledon using all their bench reserves but also sustaining a knee injury to prop Tom Boot, Jesse Muir returning to the field. After 4 minutes Hertford were awarded a penalty 35m out for a high tackle, it was missed. The home team dominated possession as Wimbledon defended mainly in the centre of the field, the slope on the pitch was to Hertford’s benefit this time but Wimbledon’s organisation and determination saw Hertford score only one try by flanker Archer on 59minutes. This was converted by replacement Kerr. Key to this defence were the tackles put in by replacement Campbell Tait who had come on at half time for lock Gary Crowe, a setback for Wimbledon was a yellow card to centre Aaron Lowe. But it must be said that the second half was an attritional affair with a determined Hertford effort being repulsed by Wimbledon’s determined defence. The final quarter was tense as Wimbledon strove to stop Hertford from scoring and possibly gaining at least a losing bonus point. Other positives were that Wimbledon’s scrum was never dominated and the back-row were generally quicker to the ball than the opposition, the accurate line-out throwing of Muir was better than the Hertford line-out organisation. Wimbledon’s coaches with have been very pleased with these two results together.

Next Saturday Wimbledon will be at home to Southend Saxons with a 2.00pm kick-off.