9th January HOME Wimbledon 57-5 Guildford

A frosty morning but the second team pitch was very playable by the time we kicked off at 11. It was extremely pleasing to see that of our entire squad, every single available player was there. Best of luck to the 4 lads at the Surrey trials, the 3 still recovering from broken bones and the 2 who were sick with the flu today. A big welcome back to Archie Watkins who is recovered from his broken hand and still in good form having practised his kicking regularly while injured. And finally another welcome to Joey, a first team prop who will be helping us out on a semi-regular basis for a while - his advice and coaching session on the scrum machine were very valuable.

A request, based on Joey's observation - if your son plays in the scrum, he really needs to have 'traditional' screw-in studs on his boots, not mouldeds/blades. It makes a huge difference on muddy pitches.

Wimbledon started the game on the front foot and really didn't stop for the whole match, most of which was played in the Guildford half.
The early play saw Jack Gleeson distinguishing himself with some great all-round rugby, but first blood went to Oli Moulton with a try from the left wing that he ran under the posts. Cameron was finding his range at this point and that was unconverted, taking us to 5-0. The next few passages were frustrating for the backs and the watching coaches, as Wimbledon held it too long in the forwards and missed several overlap opportunities. However the pressure told when a penalty was awarded inside their 22, and Alfie Jervis took advantage of the (offside) onrushing Guildford backs to sidestep and score a fine try. Cameron Wilkinson converted to take us to 12-0.

Further pressure in the Guildford half saw Matt Rogers steal two lineouts and make some strong runs, but the next score went to Eslam Djennad with a typical forwards drive to score out on the left. Cameron, obviously relishing a challenge, slotted a very difficult conversion to take us to 19-0 up. Wimbledon now finally started shipping the ball regularly out to the wings, where Guildford had no answer to the depth of running talent we have through our squad now. Two tries in rapid succession followed through Matt Shaw and James Waghorn, Cameron converting one to take us to 31-0 up at half time.

For the 2nd half we changed the entire front row and all credit to Ellis Morgan, Oli Hicks and Jon Gallagher as the forwards continued to perform strongly and provide good ball to the backs who looked dangerous with the ball in hand. After a period in which neither side was able to make a break through, the ball was worked to the blind side and Sam Codling through a combination of pace, devastating side steps and powerful hand offs ran from the half way line to score the first try of the second half. Louis Hogan who had also come on at half time missed the conversion.

Thereafter followed the try of the match. Wimbledon were under pressure in their own 22 metre area when Oli Moulton fielded a kick through by the Guildford backs. He then proceeded to run the entiore length of the pitch beating a number of tacklers on the way to score under the posts. Louis found his range this time and converted the try. Shortly thereafter, following some pressure on the Guildford tryline a clearing kick was again fielded by Ollie who this time was unable to run clear but following on from the resultant ruck, Sam Codling again found space on the blindside to run in for his second try again converted by Louis

Guildford however refused to give in and continued to apply pressure particularly as Wimbledon had started to give away a few penalties for infringing at the rucks and mauls. At one penalty Fraser Wilson pulled off a crunching head on tackle to stop a particularly large Guildford forward and unfortunately had to leave the pitch with a sore neck. (At the time of going to print we understand that Fraser is ok). There followed a period of further Guildford pressure again following infringements by Wimbledon and despite determined defence on the try line, Guildford finally scored a try after good work from their forwards. The converion was missed. There was just enough time remaining for Louis to show excellent speed and score a final try which he converted himself.

Final score was Wimbledon 57 vs Guildford 5 points. However the most pleasing aspect of the mornings play was the obvious strength in depth we are now developing as a group with excellent cover for every position.

Martin/Mark