Rugby union: Wimbledon gain revenge over CS Stags

Wimbledon were 46-15 victors at CS Stags in the London & SE Premier League on Saturday, exacting some revenge for two narrow defeats to the same opposition last season.

The Dons did it in style, despite fielding a side with seven changes from the previous weekend’s starting line-up.

It did not start too well for the South Londoners as they conceded two soft tries to Stag’s lively backs in the first eight minutes, one of them converted.

But between those scores Wimbledon gave a glimpse of what was to come with a series of impressive driving mauls ending with hooker Josh Forrester touching down and number 10 Steve Boatman converting well to make it 12-7.

During the next 15 minutes the Dons pack took control over their opposition. The Wimbledon pack, urged on by scrum-half Campbell Musson, bundled over Stags’ line again for Forrester to claim his second try and Boatman his second conversion, giving Dons a two-point lead.

Moments later Stags went ahead again through a simple penalty conversion, but their lead was short-lived as the Wimbledon pack stepped up again with lock Jack Cook claiming the score to make it 15-19.

The impressive new wing Ollie Kitto was yellow-carded for an over-zealous tackle, but the remaining 14 men finished the half on a high. Number eight Chris York won yet another lineout after some fine play by the backs  and the scrum powered over again to give Forrester a hat-trick try, and his team the bonus point.

Resuming at 15-24, Boatman’s boot quickly took the score to 15-27. His break soon after led to a fine, flowing backs move, finishing with wing Alex Kane sprinting over in the corner to extend the lead to
15-32, extended to 15-34 by Boatman’s conversion.

Five minutes later Kane got his second try after a nice break by fullback Freddie Hooper had set in motion another lovely piece of play by the backline.

After York and his lifters had claimed yet another restart, centre Jack Reville made a neat break, play moved rapidly downfield and ended with a fine try by the number eight, to cap his excellent all-round performance. Boatman’s conversion produced the final score of 15-46.

Wimbledon are at home to Sevenoaks on Saturday.