Rugby: Wimbledon win 36-12 in pre-season fixture at Westcombe Park

The Wimbledon coaches were pretty pleased with this workout against Westcombe Park – always tough opposition, especially at home – but the visitors were clearly the better side this time round.

First, they stuck to their game plan. Second, the many new faces fitted in well and all played their part. Third, despite the rock-hard pitch, there were no nasty injuries.

A powerful rolling maul set up the first try, finished off well by prop James Snape. Soon after Park were forced to bring down another strong Wimbledon drive and concede a penalty try. Then a good turnover by the pack saw quick ball spread wide to centre Brad Pinkham, who made a nice break to score the third try.

Wing Tom Bracegirdle got number four from first phase ball from the set piece and fellow wing Jamie Millais got the fifth after the pack again won quick turnover ball. The afternoon was rounded off with a sixth try, well taken by flanker Jake Farnsworth.

The two conversions to add to the penalty try were kicked by George Clair and Regan Botham.

This week there is the annual Friday evening warm-up game away at Richmond (KO 6.45), before the season’s opener, away to Camberley in the new Regional 1 South Central.