OLD MID-WHIGIFTIANS 18 WIMBLEDON 21

Despite a perfect pitch and ideal playing conditions, Wimbledon struggled to see off Old Mid-Whigitians in their London League Two South Division clash on Saturday.

The Dons experimental back line wasted almost all the good ball won and the Midwives pacey three-quarters looked dangerous when they were in possession.

Two good forward surges by Wimbledon in the first 15 minutes nearly resulted in tries for number eight Bob Bishop and lock Ed Spencer, but all they had to show for the pressure was a Steve Barton penalty.

The Dons backs then stood and watched as Midwives Aidan Murphy ran through them for a try, which was converted by Ben Brittan.

However, Barton gave the Dons back a 10-7 lead when he converted Bishops try five minutes later and further good work by the pack produced a simple penalty for Barton.

After the re-start a Midwives penalty from Brittan narrowed the deficit to just three points until Barton restored the six point margin minutes later.

Following an injury to Dons scrum-half James Grafton, Midwives began to look increasingly confident and pressure from their backs produced a third penalty with 15 minutes to go.

But a superb solo try from Dons hooker Scott Picken gave them an eight-point lead and although, in a moment of mad-ness, the defence presented Midwives with a late try, Wimbledon scraped their sixth win out of nine matches.