WOKING BOUNCE BACK WITH HARD FOUGHT AWAY WIN

Cheered on by a sizeable and vocal crowd Wandsworthians took the game to Woking from the start as their much larger pack dominated the early exchanges. Woking were struggling to get to grips with the game and the much narrower pitch of their hosts.

Having weathered the early pressure Woking did grow into the game and started to put some phases of play together. Eventually Woking’s patience paid off as John Dickie crossed from close range. The returning Carl Jacobz converted to make it 7 - 0.

Almost immediately Woking were penalised from the kick off enabling Wandsworthians to kick deep. From the lineout a catch and drive Woking were unable to halt the Wandsworthians pack who crossed to reduce the deficit.

Undeterred Woking played their best rugby of the match with forwards and back combining well resulting in them scoring an easy penalty and converted try, all from fly half Carl Jacobz in the final 10 minutes of the half

Half time: Wandsworthians 5 - 17 Woking

Having worked hard to build a lead Woking continued from where they left off in the first half when flanker Kieran Williamson went over from close range following several minutes of sustained pressure. The extras were added from the boot of Jacobz.

Yet again the hosts refused to give in and responded with a converted try of their own. With the game in the balance Wandsworthians continued to apply pressure and make ground with their forwards as momentum shifted in their favour. Then against the run of play the Woking pack turned the ball over quickly in their own half which saw scrum half Lewis Dudley feed Jacobz who broke the defensive line to go deep into Wandsworthian 22m before drawing the last defender to put full back Keihlan Watson in under the post with a deft pass.

Leading by 19 points with 10 minutes remaining Woking were guilty of not closing the game out. Through a combination of a determined opponent, some positional changes and questionable refereeing Woking found themselves trapped in their own 22m unable to get out. As Wandsworthians hammered away at the line they scored their third try of the match. With the extras added the home side sensed their opportunity to achieve an unlikely comeback.

As the game entered the final few minutes Wandsworthians controversially had a try ruled out, however they did get another converted try when Woking were penalised harshly for winning the ball back. Wandsworthians kicked to the corner and from the lineout Woking were once again unable to prevent them scoring.

Full time: Wandsworthians RFC 26 - 31 Woking

After the match head coach Mark Rose said: “I was really pleased with the way the team put into practice what we have been working on in training. The structured nature of our play and patience shown was really encouraging. We should have managed the game much better and seen it out, our decision making at crucial times needs to be better. Now the focus is on the next game as we take on an unbeaten Guildfordians who top the table”.