RAIDERS slip one spot in the National Three London and South East table after Saturday's defeat in London, and it was a disastrous opening 15 minutes which cost them the game.
Coached by Harlequins star Nick Evans, Wimbledon's superb back line caught Raiders cold and although the Guernsey side, to an extent, recovers their composure, the handicap of shipping 17 points in the first quarter proved too much to bear.

Coach Jordan Reynolds was less than happy and questioned the current side’s desire to work, ‘we just didn’t perform,’ he said. ‘The sad thing is that over the last 10 years we have built a good ethos of always working hard, a team that put in massive graft. I’m not sure if we have got that any more.’ He also questioned the group’s motivation and, most damningly said ‘they have got to represent that jersey with a little bit more pride.’

The game was just three minutes old when Wimbledon scored after going through 20 or so well-controlled phases. The conversion was missed but the home kicker soon got another chance as a second try arrived on five minutes. Raiders were just settling when a kick out of defence was run straight back at them and a third try arrived.

For the rest of the half Raiders played really well and it was no more than they deserved when Dale Martin, who was everywhere and one of the side's star performers, went over and Kenny Hellier converted for a 17-7 half-time scoreline. Raiders needed to score next but they we again caught cold as the match resumed and at 22-7 adrift they faced an uphill struggle.

To their credit, Raiders dominated the next 20 minutes and scored a send try via a catch and drive move which saw Nick Merrien have the ball in hands as they crossed the line.
Hellier was again successful with the boot.

Raiders had given themselves hope and they were still on top when, with just five minutes left and against the run of play, Wimbledon sealed the points and bonus point as they made the visitors pay for conceding a penalty.

Then, with the last play of the game, Wimbledon grabbed another converted try to give the final score a somewhat unbalanced look given comparative possession. Wimbledon were a well-drilled side, though, and ran the ball impressively.

For Raiders, there were plus points in the overall performance of the pack from Steventon and Martin, and it was good to see Sam Whitehead return. Sadly, Luke Skovronek's return was cut short by an ankle injury which probably rules him out of Saturday's final home match of 2016, at home to Guildford when the approach must change, said Reynolds.
‘At the moment we seem to be happy to let these games pass us by.’

Team:
Steventon, Ceillam, L. Batiste, Skovronek, Merrien, Hillier, Hill, Martin; Nixon, Whitehead, Barnes, Jones, Hellier, Davison, Davies.
Replacements:
Ashplant, Gladstone and Ryan.