A WARM WELCOME TO WIMBLEDON RFC
Once more we are delighted to welcome everyone associated with Wimbledon RFC back to Knole Paddock for what is always a competitive encounter.
The Dons can claim a proud history and have made a major contribution towards the implementation and furtherance of our sport.
Rugby was first played on Wimbledon Common in 1865 under this club’s original name of Wimbledon Hornets. They were one of the original 19 clubs that met in 1871 to form what is now the Rugby Football Union.
Wimbledon members were intimately involved with the RFU in those early years and one of their number, H J Graham, rates a special mention. It was he as Hon Treasurer who received, and acted upon, a letter from Calcutta Rugby Club promising £60 to create a trophy “of Indian workmanship” so that club could be remembered in rugby history; hence the origins of The Calcutta Cup.
The Dons, renamed as Wimbledon RFC, played on until they disbanded in 1914, but reformed in 1927 and remained on the Common right up to 1987. They then moved to their present home at Beverley Meads in 1987 in preparation for the introduction of leagues rugby. The Ladies club was formed in 1990, followed seven years later by the setting up of their mini section.
Wimbledon spent their first four leagues seasons in Surrey 2, but gained promotions in all of the following four, thus finding themselves at Level 5 starting in 1996/97. Thereafter they have oscillated between Levels 5 and 6, with one stellar 2016/17 season when they finished second and beat Dings Crusaders in a playoff match to gain their promotion to the National Leagues. Despite nine wins and 50 points earned they came back down again but continue to be one of the strongest of all Level 5 clubs.
Our own one on one record shows we have been in the same division for six terms before this one and have six wins each. Curiously in all of those six seasons both sides have won once each. With the Dons winning in November it’s up to today’s Oaks to continue that sequence.
The statistics signify two well matched clubs that started locking horns in 2000, and again today there is every reason to anticipate another close match with superior skills on display.
Howard Pearl
Other London & South East Premier Division matches being played today:
Brighton v Tring CS Stags v Westcombe Park
Havant v Hertford North Walsham v Tunbridge Wells
Sidcup v Maidenhead Sutton & Epsom v Dorking