Dons take step towards safety
Henley Hawks .0
Wimbledon 19
WIMBLEDON edged closer to safety with a richly deserved victory over a surprisingly lacklustre Henley at a rain-sodden Dry Leas on Saturday afternoon.
Following a cagey opening quarter, Wimbledon deservedly took the lead on 15 minutes with full-back Matt Gilbert going over after sustained pressure.
A second try followed shortly afterwards when Daniel Laventure crossed the line with Hawks prop Brad Cook in the sin bin.
The second half started in a similar vein to the first. And with Cook off with a head injury, the Hawks had to play the rest of the game with 14 men having had to resort to uncontested scrums in the process.
Wimbledon went further ahead in the 60th minute with Ben Brooks crashing over in the corner. It was the reward for a fantastic performance from the away side who played with real heart and commitment, leaving their supporters daring to dream about survival in National 2 South.
The result leaves Wimbledon in 15th place, four points ahead of basement side Broadstreet but five behind 14th-placed Old Redcliffians.
The team from SW19 have more wins than those around them but their lack of bonus points proves troublesome.
TEAMS
HENLEY: O’Neill, Robinson, Awcock, Hayhow, Andre, Butler, Venner, Cook, Emery, Primett, Hyde, Clements, White, Haynes, Lowe.
Replacements: Ball, Wunder, Albon, Portland, Perry.
WIMBLEDON: Gilbert, Hutson, Bellamore, Esam, Cheers, Doe, Morgan, Smith, Ugodulunwa, Bayford, Flashman, Campbell, MacSweeney, Alboni, Rice.
Replacements: Gratton, Brookes, May, Walter, Tabb.
REFEREE: Richard Haughton
ATTENDANCE: 210
Star man
Dylan Flashman – Wimbledon
