Pre Season 2007-2008
Woodford 17 Wimbledon 22
Woodford lose their only preseason game in a tense battle against London 2 South side Wimbledon. Played over four quarters to allow both sides to look at various combinations, the match was a fractious affair.
The Dons started the better and soon found themselves a try to the good when their left winger crossed in the corner to leave Woodford reeling. Woodford were then stung into action and began to aaply some pressure through the rolling maul. However, when the ball was passed out wide, the Wimbledon defence read the situation well and intercepted out wide. The race wasn’t close and the Dons extended their lead – 12 - 0 to the visitors. The Woods were not looking likely to turn things around in the second period as Wimbledon started to exert their authority. A number of penalties resulted in a further three points for the Dons and then another try in the corner following a driven lineout saw the Dons lead extended to 22-0.
Woodford were beginning to annoy the referee with their back chat but managed to extert some pressure of their own in the third 20. Niall Moody was unfortunate to have a pass adjudged forward as he looked to put winger Simo through. Despite not scoring, the cohesion that the Woods were beginning to show was promising for Woodford coach Christie and when a driven lineout was touched down by Jamie Phillipson early in the final quarter, the Highams men were back in business.
Excellent back division play saw Simo race clear – he could have used his Fijian side step to dance round the covering scrumhalf, but he decided to use his Samoan sidestep to smash through him and touch down out wide!
The final score belonged to Prop Eleftheriou who was on the end of a lovely offload from back row man Joe Green who for once turned provider.
An interesting game for both sides who were able to gauge how far they have come since last season. For the Woods there is a lot of work to be done before next week if they are going to overcome Tabard. The Hertfordshire side are a powerful unit and will no doubt be challenging for promotion come the end of the season so get down to the Highams and cheer the boys on – they will need the support to get off to a winning start.
