Sport

Wimbledon go top of the league after battling win against Twickenham

Twickenham 13 Wimbledon 23

Wimbledon coach James Oglive-Bull was pleased to earn a bonus point despite his sides sub-par performance against Twickenham.

Two tries from Max Adkins and one each for Ti Pairama-Lewington and Charlie Morgan secured the points.

The result means that Wimbledon go top of the London firsts South Division and Oglive-Bull was delighted with his team’s late rally.

He said: “It keeps the pressure up and we need to keep winning and getting the bonus points because we need to keep ourselves clear.

“Obviously it is us and Sidcup away at the top and we have a big gap to third place now.”

Wimbledon were determined to play an expansive running game and on 16 minutes their confidence paid off.

Centre Neil Hallett led a breakaway from inside his own 22 and found Adkins with a brilliant wide ball allowing the winger to go over in the corner.

Adkins had his second moments later after intercepting a wayward Twickenham pass and running 30 yards to score.

However, a Twickenham try in the 32nd minute and Hallett’s poor kicking form meant Wimbledon only led 10-8 at half time.

Twickenham’s resilience belied the poor form that had seen them head into the match without a win in four games.

Oglive-Bull was disappointed with the way his side handed the hosts the initiative.

He said: “I think our boys were a little bit complacent and we didn’t play the way we should have done and were a bit sloppy.

“We didn’t make it easy for ourselves because sometimes at the breakdown we let ourselves down, but the main thing is the result.”

With the scores tied heading into the final 15 minutes a yellow card for Twickenham hooker Phil Astbury handed Wimbledon the advantage.

The extra man paid dividends as Pairama-Lewington scored after a sustained period of Wimbledon pressure.

Morgan took a quick free kick and made a brilliant dart for the line to score in the closing stages, and secure the bonus point.

Wimbledon have now gone nine games without defeat and face Gosport & Fareham at home in their next fixture on Saturday November 15.

Related Articles