Storming win for in-form rugby club

Wimborne 23pts, Sherborne 0

WIMBORNE gave their best Southern Counties South performance of the season at a windy Leigh Park on Saturday with a fine performance of 15-man rugby to comprehensively defeat high-flying Sherborne.

Playing into the strong wind Wimborne dominated the early exchanges and took the lead after five minutes with a penalty from James Mikolajewski. The home pack, with the returning Matt Morris and skipper Steve King, making his first appearance since his serious injury in September, to the fore, were playing with far more energy than in some recent encounters, keeping the ball tight and committing the defence before releasing the ball to scrum half Chris Perry to set up their dangerous backs.

Sherborne, starved of quality possession, were unable to make use of the elements with only a couple of long downfield kicks to relieve the pressure. Wimborne were spending long periods in the visitors' half but ill-discipline was giving Sherborne the opportunity to clear their lines and set up a few attacking chances.

But it came as no surprise when after 20 minutes Wimborne extended their lead with a try in the corner by Mikolajewski following a series of forward drives.

Five minutes later Wimborne scored a superb try when fly-half Jamie Tryska made a clean break before giving it to Jim Brokenshire who drew the defence before slipping the ball inside to Matt Morris who went over for the score. Wimborne turned round with a 13-point lead.

The second half opened with Wimborne changing their tactics, now putting boot to ball to make use of the strong wind at their backs. Tryska, with a series of kicks, kept Sherborne bemused. Six minutes into the half Andy Unwin ripped the ball free of a Sherborne defender and rumbled up field to set up a ruck. The ball was swiftly recycled and Gavin Maltman came into the line to create the overlap for Paul Roberts to score on the left.

Now in total command Wimborne scored the bonus point try 10 minutes later when Sherborne were desperately trying to break out of defence. Mikolajewski intercepted an injudicious pass and although he was tackled short of the line was on hand moments later as the ball was speedily recycled for him to score in the corner.