Wimbledon 45 - 25 Chichester

At 28-3 up after 35 minutes Wimbledon looked to be coasting to an easy victory over
Chichester, but with 15 minutes of the match remaining a scoreline of 28-25
suggested an improbable and embarrassing defeat might be on the cards. But as
they’ve demonstrated several times this season this Wimbledon squad has the
determination (and skills) to wrap up games like this – and a flurry of points in the
final 15 minutes saw them home 45-25.

The kickable penalty brought about by Dons pressure from the kick-off was
surprisingly missed by Bryan Croke, but it was to be his only miss of the day,
converting all six tries and a penalty. His first, seven minutes in, came after his own
chip was gathered by lock Campbell Tait who made a good 15m before offloading to
the supporting Jack Reville to score. It was Chichester’s Anscombe who score next –
a well struck penalty after some sloppy Wimbledon play.

The next 15 minutes produced some sparkling running rugby from Dons, with
forwards and backs combining to score three fine tries. Flanker Gary Crowe got the
first spotting a defensive gap from a maul 5m out. Croke sprinted in for the second
after a strong run from lock Andy Hore and no.8 Roy Godfrey powered over for the
third after a wave of driving mauls close to Chichester’s line.

Just before half-time a harsh yellow card for Croke and the resulting penalty in Don’s
22 gave Chichester the opportunity to create a good score in the corner by Seaman,
well converted from the touchline by Anscombe.

With Croke still absent and three replacements brought on, Dons lost their shape and
concentration throughout the third quarter, losing their own scrums, failing to bring
down the visitor’s big forwards and giving away hard-won ball. A rampant Chichester
showed again that there are no poor teams in this league by creating three further
well-worked tries – one each for Belcher, Renwick and Johnson. Fortunately for
Wimbledon none were converted, but their lead was now a mere three points.

Croke’s penalty conversion soon extended that to six and seemed to spark Dons into
action for the final period. Tait stole a Chichester lineout in the visitor’s 22 and surges
by Godfrey and prop Phil Viane almost made the line; several phases on, the pack
drove over for new boy George Beale to touch down. The final Wimbledon try was
fittingly scored by the captain, Godfrey, picking from the base of a strong scrum, half-
selling a dummy and strolling over the tryline. And with just three league games
remaining the club is certain of at least a second-place finish in the league and a play-
off for promotion on 29 th April.

Next week Wimbledon travel to Guernsey, where it is hoped they won’t leave the
result in doubt until the final few minutes.