4:33pm Tuesday 7th September 2010
By Tony Mann
Wimbledon 16 – 23 Beckenham
Wimbledon took the field against Beckenham for their first game of the season with a hard core of last year’s key players and a sprinkling of promising newcomers.
The only problem was that a number of late withdrawals meant several players were totally out of position. Not the best way to start against the ever-competitive Beckenham.
But these things happen, and Wimbledon couldn’t quibble about the result.
After a pretty even first half, which produced two well-struck penalties from Dons’ wing Jonny Rawlinson against one from Beckenham’s Pat Wright and a pushover try from a 5m lineout touched down by Luke Harding, the visitors gradually gained the ascendancy throughout the second.
Their better teamwork began to show and as they sensed victory their commitment level rose too and Dons, pinned in their own half, struggled to get any meaningful possession.
Although Rawlinson gave Wimbledon a one point lead with his third successful penalty 10 minutes after the re-start.
They soon lost it again – along with fullback Dave Charles through injury – when a fortuitous bounce into the arms of Beckenham’s wing from a mis-kick from no. 10 Curr, gave him an almost clear run to the line, and the supporting Liam Markey snapped up a try.
Wright, after missing three, eventually converted a second penalty after 20 minutes to put his side 16-9 ahead, but Wimbledon responded well with their best move of the game.
Rawlinson and replacement wing Ed Lewis took the ball on after the pack won rare loose ball, then prop Ben Davies, Rawlinson again and acting fullback Andy Barton combined to put captain and no.10 Chris Lewis away down the touchline for a try under the posts.
Rawlinson’s conversion levelled the scores at 16-16 - a score Dons’ coaches and the team would have happily settled for. But with five minutes remaining, after a succession of penalties and a disallowed try, Beckenham got their deserved winner when lock Paul Currie touched down a second pushover try, well converted from out wide by Wright.
Next week Wimbledon take on Thanet Wanderers away.
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