With the fog descending on Wimbledon, the B team rolled out for only the second competitive fixture this year. A good run of games coming up now though, and next year I’ll try to avoid teams about to fold! The opposition were Reeds B, currently on a 100% record in their division and tough opponents who put us under pressure from the kick-off. There was some good defence from Matt Shaw and Elliot Phillips, and from a Reeds lineout Fraser Wilson stole their ball with a well-timed lift. However the defence then crumbled with 2 tries in quick succession from Reeds, with some poor Wimbledon tackling to blame; 0 - 14 down.

Not to be overrun, we then came back with some sustained pressure of our own from the pack
which saw us driving almost to the Reeds line; unfortunately losing a scrum and possession just short. Some good work in the backs from Harry Sullivan who gained ground several times, and great supporting running by Alex Paul. A dangerous kick over the top was well dealt with by Alfie Jervis, and Ellis Morgan made the first of his several ground-gaining runs of the day. As Reeds again built up the pressure, returning player Greg Miller bravely stopped a run in non-textbook fashion (with his nose). It wasn’t enough to stop Reeds switching the ball out to their right and driving over to take us to half-time at 0 - 19 down.

With only minimal changes in personnel, it was a mystery how the side which came out for the second half played so much better and far more to the standard they are capable of. In the backs, Matt Shaw was again to the fore, and Alfie was unlucky not to get more from some quick thinking and a great kick and chase. Lucas Strauss also put in some good runs and a particularly good kick, playing out of position at fullback. Defensively the highlight was when Reeds put together a good move ending with their left wing, on a determined charge, being crashed into touch by a textbook flying tackle from Archie Watkins.

The Wimbledon pack were gaining in strength and confidence as the game went on, with Ellis Morgan very much leading from the front with many ground-gaining runs. We were winning most of the scrums and playing the game in their half; Connor Coleman being unlucky not to score with a run on the right wing. Camped on their line, we eventually drove over for Ellis Morgan to score the try that the team and he personally definitely deserved. It was a shame that we switched off from the restart, allowing their centre to run through several tackles to score at then end of the game. Final score 5 - 26, or 5- 7 for the much better second half.

A good test for the B squad against serious opposition, and a lesson learned because our second half performance matched Reeds on the day.