Wimbledon 12 Chichester 11

When Chichester scored a try two minutes into the second half to go 11-0 ahead in this London League One South clash, it looked too big a hill for Wimbledon to climb.

But the spirit in this Wimbledon team, as well as fitness and skill levels – not to mention a bit of Dave Rees magic – gradually gained them ascendancy over their feisty opponents to secure a just-about deserved victory.

Despite the teams being evenly matched in the set pieces – Dons’ front row of Pete Wallace, Graeme Symon and Ben Davies again more than a match for their heftier opposite numbers and Ben Morgan once more in fine lineout form – Chichester’s superior rucking meant that Dons spent much of the first half on the back foot.

But their 15-man defence was excellent, flanker Jason Anquetil in particular doing a great job on Chichester’s chunky number eight – and all the visitors had to show at half-time was a penalty and drop goal from fly-half Richie Adams.

But a misfield from the restart let them straight into Wimbledon’s 22 and, after a number of well-constructed phases, Chichester’s Madden ran in the try.

Wimbledon then responded superbly; their backs’ first proper move of the game brought a penalty in Chichester’s 22, which was quickly taken.

A fine drive by the pack ended with a touchdown by Herman van der Merwe, on as replacement for the injured Julian Callanan.

From this point on, as Wimbledon applied more and more pressure, Chichester’s discipline began to crumble and Dons’ pack gained the upper hand.

Quick ball to the backs and a wonderful dummy pass by Rees opened a chink in Chichester’s defence, just big enough for him to jink through, sidestep two defenders and outpace the fullback to score a great try under the posts.

His conversion gave Wimbledon the one-point lead they needed for a win – although not without a nervous last few minutes.

Down to 13 men after the referee had finally had enough of the visitor’s backchat and sin-binned two players simultaneously, Chichester fought back gamely and secured a kickable penalty that would have won them the game.

Luckily for Wimbledon, one of those sin-binned was Chichester’s kicker and the replacement’s effort scraped wide of the posts, leaving Wimbledon with two well-earned league points.

This Saturday, Wimbledon are away to winless Aylesford Bulls, although it is unlikely they’ll take a win for granted, knowing there are no easy games in this league.