Post-Christmas rustiness but Wimbledon take the win (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Tait and Roberts inspire rusty Wimbledon to new year victory over Beckenham

3:59pm Monday 7th January 2013 in Other Rugby By Terence Bagworth

In a match strewn with mistakes, Wimbledon came out on top against Beckenham 19-6 in London Division One South.

Both teams looked rusty after the Christmas break, but Wimbledon had hooker Dave Roberts and forward Rob Tait to thank for a hard-working win, Tait the host's best player on the day.

Hosts Wimbledon started the scoring within a minute of kick-off when Beckenham presented a penalty almost immediately. 

Outside half Neil Hallett scored from about 30m, and then had a hand in a sweeping Wimbledon move that ended with Leon Driscoll on the left wing scoring in the corner. 

On their next visit to the Beckenham half, another rapid move took play from right to left and this time number eight Gary Crowe scored in almost the same spot that Driscoll had scored earlier. 

Despite being 13-0 down, Beckenham were Wimbledon's equal in many phases of the match - but Hallett was handed two more chances to score from range, which he converted.

With a lead of 19-0, Wimbledon’s supporters were expecting a sizable victory but, to their credit, Beckenham clearly had a rousing half-time team talk and did all the scoring in the second half.

A couple of clean breaks by Wimbledon scrum half Tommy Moore was about all the home team could provide as entertainment in the second half, which had some strange yellow cards being given to both teams.

Wimbledon travel to Sidcup next Saturday and were buoyed by the return of Richard Stewart back on the pitch after injury.