Charlton Park 15 Wimbledon 29

The first 20 minutes of this match against newly promoted Charlton Park was almost a carbon copy of last week’s against Dover, with Wimbledon’s backs running riot and running in three unanswered tries. Two were converted by no.10 Bryan Croke, who added a penalty to give Dons a 22-0 lead.

Wing Pete Scott scored the first try, rounding five defenders on his 60m sprint to the line. Skipper Neil Hallett got the second, touching down his own chip ahead, then Scott rounded off some excellent team play to get his second of the match.

Park’s heavier pack then woke up and began to dominate the game, soon forcing Dons to concede a penalty, and then, with two Wimbledon forwards in the bin, a penalty try too.

In the second half Park used their ample forward possession to keep Dons pinned in their own half, while Wimbledon did all they could to keep the ball alive and spread it wide to tire Park’s pack. These tactics, plus some fine defence, not only prevented a Park score, but produced another excellent team try for themselves 10 minutes from time, when replacement scrum half Max Adkins put Scott away again to run in his hat-trick try and secure the bonus point for Wimbledon.

Park scored a consolation try just before the final whistle to round off an entertaining game – and Wimbledon came away with the result they wanted and deserved. Next week they are at home to Guildford, also newly promoted to League 1, but so far with three wins out of three.