This visit to Richmond on Friday night told Wimbledon’s coaches that they have a large and talented squad ready for the new season, one or two injured players were also present and probably frustrated that they were not involved.
The match itself was played at a high tempo, and saw four tries scored through David Aniebonam, Ed Morgan, Harry Scoble and Ally Duddell with a result secured right at the end of play.
Richmond came back into the match to lead 19-14 at one point before Wimbledon’s replacements secured a good victory in the last play of the match.
The different sections of the team, backs running in direct lines with close support from the backrow, a solid scrummage and a dominant lineout all led to Wimbledon hardly allowing Richmond to get out of their own half for the first half hour of the match.
The first score within seconds of the start saw wing Jamie Millais just short but swift movement of the ball gave number eight David Aniebonam a try near the posts, Morgan had a straightforward conversion. A few minutes later Morgan saw a gap and ran through from 20 metres, this time under the posts, he had no problem with the conversion.
In reply Richmond had their first of three tries quickly followed by their second to give a halftime score of 14-14. They took the lead on 58 minutes with their third but with a missed conversion, but matters were settled when first hooker Scoble tied the scores, and in a final flourish Wimbledon declined several penalty kicks to attack the line in other ways before centre Ally Duddell forced his way over with some help to make a final 24–19 score.
It was good to see returning player Rhys Morgan at full-back in a Wimbledon shirt once again and impressive appearances from the new players joining this season.
Wimbledon are away to Camberley for the first match of the league season, kick-off 3pm.
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