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Wimbledon Ladies HWO Camberley Ladies (19-5)
The Ladies continued their domination of South East 1 with another win, albeit in slightly different circumstances to how they usually do so.
The home fixture against Camberley earlier in the season had been declared a Home Walk Over (HWO) due to Camberley not being able to get the numbers. The return, scheduled for Sunday was due to be at Camberley but in accordance with the RFU rules, the Ladies enforced their right to play the game at home.
This time, credit to the Camberley Ladies for turning up but they turned up short and had to award the points to Wimbledon without a pass being made. Instead of packing up and heading to the pub, it was decided to continue ahead with the game and that some of the Wimbledon reserves would pull on Camberley shirts to even up the sides.
This initially seemed a good idea but with both Gutti and Mandie unable to start as a result of strains picked up in the warm up, it left the Dons with only Mandie as a sub and Gabby and Squits playing for Camberley who had 15 with the added numbers. It was better to get a fixture in though and it proved to be just as competitive as any normal league fixture would have been.
The game started with a big build up and then a scrum back after the ball didn't go 10 at kick off and it rather set the tone for a 1st half in which both sides competed well at the breakdown and it was fought out mainly in the middle 3rd of the pitch. The Dons were putting pressure on Camberley and it was only due to a few misplaced passes and handling errors that prevented gaps being found and tries being scored. When the ball did go over the line, Anya was well bundled into touch by a combination of 3 Camberley players who got back well to prevent her putting the ball down for the 1st score.
It eventually did arrive though and was courtesy of a rolling, driving mall from the forwards off a line-out. Space opened up and Sonic stole off the side to plant the ball over the line for the first try. Jo, stepping in for Gutti at 12 and also taking on the kicking duties, slotted a good conversion to make it 7-0 with a little over 10 minutes played.
Camberley came back well into the game but Wimbledon always looked to have the advantage outside and it was this advantage that led to try number 2. Anya, looking strong in the tackle and difficult to bring down, charged towards the Camberley line. She was brought down just short and after 2 more phases and the Camberley defence in disarray, CJ took the ball over to score try number 2 with 3 other Wimbledon forwards who could have touched down had CJ been held up. Once again, Jo converted for the additional 2 points and Wimbledon went into the break 14-0 ahead although Cheese ended up coming off at the same time with a nasty bump on her head following some footwork from one of her own team. If you wear blue socks and were in the ruck when CJ scored, Cheese is coming for you!
The second half was slightly better in terms of fluidity, especially from the forwards who once again showed their power by turning over ball and winning plenty in the loose but a lack of precision across the entire 15 and some good competing and defence from Camberley meant that tries were in short supply. The odd knock on, forward pass or getting in each other's way prevented Wimbledon from really hitting the heights that they have done this season.
The one try they did score came again off the back of a lineout and with the Camberley pack being driven back the 22m to their line, as the ball went down, it was Olivia, playing in the pack again due to injuries, who appeared at the bottom with the ball. The conversion was missed but the Ladies led 19-0 and were not really under any threat of giving that lead up. The rest of the game became a rather scrappy affair as both teams tired and the errors crept into the game. The Ladies went close after some good runs by Olivia, Jo, Kate, Charlie and Anya but were unable to get over.
There was however, one more score and it came for Camberley right at the end of play. With the Dons pressing for their 4th try, the ball was turned over in the tackle and despite a forward pass, Camberley broke clear through the middle. Kate was unable to prevent the ball being passed off to the centre who ran the Wimbledon half with Mandie snapping at her heels to touch down in the corner. It was a slightly irritating end to the game for the Dons taking into account the pride that they have in their defence but credit must go to Camberley for keeping going. The try also provides the Ladies with that little more resolve to keep going to the end as they chase an unbeaten League season and a reminder that teams always need to be finished off.
As it stands, the Ladies are one of only 9 teams across the country to have perfect 100% records in the League and none of those has played anything like the number of games Wimbledon have- as long as they keep going and with 5 games left to go albeit the 3 toughest away fixtures, there is no reason why they can't finish this season on even more of a high.
Player of the Match- Carol
Back of the Match- Jo
Forward of the Match- Jen
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