Taunton Titans 65 - Wimbledon RFC 15

Wimbledon started well with early pressure and in fact dominated the first half despite the scoreline.

After three minutes Taunton went for it against the play, flung it wide and left winger Claydon scored. (Try converted - 7-0)

All Wimbledon pressure again - penalty, line out, driving maul - Laventure try on 10 minutes. (7-5)

All Dons again until minute 23 when a powerful driving maul from Taunton was stopped 10 metres short. Ball passed quickly wide for right wing Rice to score. (Try converted - 14-5)

Wimbledon back on it and earn sin bin for Taunton hooker and penalty in minute 28. Try for Brooks. (14-10)

More Wimbledon pressure on Taunton's 14 men but a steal of the ball in minute 33 and some very slick handling by the Taunton backline brought another try for right wing Rice. (Try converted - 21-10)

Minute 35 and the Dons earn another penalty right in front of the posts. Opting for some tried and ill-fated England RWC tactics the Dons kick for touch but do not find it.

Dons' pressure was nevertheless maintained and in minute 38 Wimbledon scored another try by centre Bellamore. (21-15)

That should have ended the first half but a disappointing call by the referee in minute 43 gave an unearned scrum put-in to Taunton on the Dons 22 from which once again they flung it quickly wide to right winger Rice for his hat-trick. (26-15)

For the first eight minutes of the second half and the last 12 of the game it was more of the same with no scores and the Dons at least holding their own and even pressuring for a bonus point try.

However between minutes eight and 28 there was a horrible 20 minutes in which Taunton scored 40 points, six tries - three more for right wing, Rice, one by their No. 6 running an eight second 50 metres from a cheeky Wimbledon kick-off, one from another dodgy ref call penalty and one from another midfield steal.

So for 60 minutes Wimbledon played very well. The Dons did deserve a bonus point but Taunton fought doubly hard in the last ten to even prevent that. Final score - 66-15.

A quick special mention for the club's longest serving player-member (1959) ex first team skipper, Godfrey Gingell, who was there on the touchline with Tim Eydon cheering on the maroon and blues.