Match Report by Cameron Temple
Photos courtesy of Tim Pitfield Photography

On a damp Autumn afternoon in Wimbledon the Reading men came out flying in the early stages of the game as they settled in quickly, going through the phases and proving they would not be affected by the unfamiliar surroundings. The Rams quick start was rewarded as they continued where they left off in the last game with a try after 3 minutes following a penalty line out and the ball being whipped out wide for Souter on the wing who ran the ball across the try line, as well as converting the try himself shortly after. There was no respite for the Wimbledon men as the Rams came charging back at them immediately after the first try for Poole to score a try for the second week running as

Wimbledon braced themselves for what seemed to be a thrashing in the making. However, Wimbledon reacted with a steely determination as they revealed a rare moment of frailty in the Rams pack, which had been so consistent in recent weeks, as they drove them back following a line out to score on the ten-minute mark. Not to be outdone, the Rams pack redeemed themselves in typical Rams fashion following a penalty line out and powerful drive to the line for Captain Robbie Stapley to place the ball over the line comfortably. The Reading men dominated the next ten minutes of the game with the Stapley brothers leading the Rams in relentless attacks with man of the match Foxley bringing some attacking flair into the Rams attacking moves. Despite this, Wimbledon remained resilient in defence and eventually turned the tide of momentum their way as they finished the half well with Gilbert almost scoring in the corner following two missed tackles from the Rams back line. Two well taken penalty kicks from Wimbledon’s Doe gave them the last laugh of the half as they edged ever closer to the Rams score bringing the teams in at half time the score at 13 – 19 to the Redingensians.
The Rams started the second half well with Foxley being lively in attack and Thomson stealing the ball well from a Wimbledon line out. This was followed by a set back for the Wimbledon men as they suffered a yellow card to Rhys Morgan who had only recently entered the field of play. Although, this did not noticeably affect Wimbledon, and in fact, they seemed to improve as they dominated the next ten minutes of the game but couldn’t quite build on this dominance by adding to the scoreboard as Doe missed a penalty kick, which would’ve taken this plucky Wimbledon side within touching distance of the Rams. The ball entered a nervy period as the ball changed hands numerous times with the game becoming tighter and both teams’ benches becoming more animated as tensions rose around the ground. As the weather became dimmer the Rugby enlivened as both teams had exciting breakthrough’s only to be halted before their respective try lines. In the last few minutes the professionalism of the Rams came to fruition as, following a prolonged period of possession, the Rams pack killed the game after a line out and vigorous drive, with Henderson placing the ball over the line to secure yet another victory for the Robust Rams as the game finished 13 – 24 to the Rams.