Wimbledon gave their worst performance of the season in crashing out of the Surrey Cup quarter-finals 28-16, writes Tony Mann.

Dons, who play in London Two South, led their London Four North-West opponents 13-0 at one point.

In mitigation, Wimbledon fielded a new line up from the week before and the referee made things difficult for them, with the first-half penalty count of 13-4 for the home team growing to an extraordinary 15-0 in the second-half.

Cobham, unbeaten in 15 league games, had an outstanding pack, and player/coach and former Harlequin Bill Davidson dominated the line-outs, although why Wimbledon did not contest the Cobham throw-in was a mystery.

It all started so well for Wimbledon. A Hugh Griffin penalty after five minutes was followed by tries from left wing Johnny Rawlinson and right wing Larry Downes. The second by Downes was Wimbledon's try of the season, featuring a perfect pick-up and pass by No.8 James Simpson and an excellent move involving backs and forwards.

Cobham pulled back a penalty before half-time, which was cancelled out by a second penalty from Griffin minutes into the second-half.

But from then on the home team ruled, scoring three pushover tries and a penalty conversion.

Hopefully Wimbledon will put this defeat behind them and start to reproduce some of their fluent early season rugby this Saturday away at Lewes in the league.