Fine individual tries from full-back Dave Charles and Dave Rees allowed Wimbledon to claim a narrow London One South victory over Old Colfeians on Saturday.
The win was just about deserved for a side welcoming back long-term injury victims Ben Nightingale, Steve Duggan, Andy Barton, Chris Lewis and Andy Reilly.
A gutsy performance from the pack forces the basis of the win, with flanker Lewis, Jason Anquetil, Mal English and, later, Julian Callanan all outstanding.
Dons made a great start with several powerful drives and great inter-passing leading to a fifth-minute try from Charles.
Reilly’s penalty five minutes later took the lead to 8-0, but the Dons went off the boil and a converted penalty try and a drop goal from James Poole saw Colfeians take a 10-8 lead.
Dons edged a point ahead again just before half time through a second Reilly penalty.
In the second half, Wimbledon’s backs just did not gel and failed to make full use of the ample ball won by their pack.
One mix-up nearly cost them dear when OC’s flanker Peter Burton hacked on a dropped pass and his wing Rob Seidu pounced on the ball to score, Poole’s conversion taking the visitors into an 11-17 lead.
But then came the moments of magic from Charles and Rees, both converted by centre Mike Norton, and the home team held out well against a final furious onslaught from Colfeians to secure a valuable two points.
Wimbledon’s next match is away to Old Elthamians on Saturday week.
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