Wombles prove better at recycling

12 players versus 15 was always going to be a tough ask but to their credit Streatham Croydon put in the work to ensure this game was closer than it should have been and that it ended up a better result than conceding the game.

Due to a few late pullouts numbers of players were lower than expected but the team were committed to playing the full league match. After a fairly sluggish start from both teams Streatham attempted to force their way through Rirmarni Richards stealing the ball at a ruck and making headway down the pitch supported by Jamal Ryan-Coker and Reese Rhoden. Unfortunately halted by the concession of a penalty after being tackled. From this penalty Wimbledon were able to exert pressure down the wings eventually crossing the line after battering down a resilient Streatham defense. 5-0

From the restart the score gap was widened with the ball bouncing free and falling for a wimbledon second row to cross the line through several broken tackles. 12-0

However, inspired by the six nations finale Streatham Croydon decided it was time to even up the scoreline. Jamal Ryan-Coker successful in taking a ball from the back of a maul into the wide area gliding under the posts for the score. Reese Rhoden providing the support.
Wimbledon endeavored to score again but ferocious tackling on the line lead to the player knocking on. 12-5

Having escaped their half Streatham Croydon set about seeking another score. Jamal Ryan- Coker stealing the oppositions line out, the first of his many steals in the game, working the ball out to John Olloh who straightened at speed to speed over the line. Conor Oresanya adding the extras 12-12.

Wimbeldon exerted further pressure coming close once more, but from Rirmarni Richards clearing kick from a 5 metre scrum having had the ball grounded twice over their own try line, a penalty was given for offside. Wimbeldon crashing over to score 19-12.
Streatham were still in a game and another Jamal Ryan-Coker line out steal and John Olloh run Streatham were level 19-19.

Beyond this point the game became fairly divided and fractious as the penalty count rose and Wimbledon utilized their bench. From a ruck penalty Wimbledon added another score 24-19. Streatham learnt a lesson to play what they see in front of them rather than wait for a whistle as Wimbledon scored a try having taken a quick line out despite the ball being thrown in from 1 metre inside the pitch. Further broken play led to the team conceding two more quick tries placing the game out of reach with 10 minutes left on the clock. 45-19

However, the team were determined to show the ref and a large travelling fan base that they were not finished and from the best play of the game soon scored again. Rimarni Richards stealing the ball in a ruck and with the ref playing advantage steamed up the pitch before succumbing to the attentions of five players but not before he had offloaded to the onrushing John Olloh to cross the line 45-24

Wimbledon were able to secure a further try from broken play to add gloss to the scoreline 52-24 but for a team with less players and lower down the league to run them close and lose only due to a funny 15 second hand minutes is a great testament to the crop of players currently in the team especially those out there on sunday.