On paper, Wimbledon’s 3-20 defeat at home to Shelford does not look like the perfect way to open their new National League Three campaign.

However, coach James Ogilivie-Bull insists there are positives to take from and that the performance will stand Wimbledon in good stead for the coming season.

Ogilivie-Bull has a point when you consider that Wimbledon, promoted last season, and Shelford, relegated last season, were two divisions part this time last year.

He said: “Shelford are a very good side. Bearing in mind the gulf between us last season, after 60 minutes we were only seven points down, and we were still in the game.

“Shelford kept the ball well and we were defending for multiple phases, but it showed us that this is the level we are going to have to compete at, and that we are capable of competing at that level.”

He added: “We just did not finish off a couple of chances that we had, and if we’d done that it may have made a difference – they certainly took their chances well. All in all It will stand us in good stead.”

Wimbledon welcome back Rhys Morgan and Steve Mays for the trip to Hertford this weekend.

Ogilivie-Bull said: “Hertford had a very convincing win last weekend [65-7 at Eton Manor].

“We’re still finding our feet and we’re expecting every game to be tough, and we have to be on our mettle for every minute of every game. There are no gimmes or easy games.

“But being in this league was our aim when we all came together at the beginning of last season, and we’re here now and we have to maintain it.”

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