Old Wimbledonians ended a run of four successive league defeats with Saturday’s hard-earned victory over third-placed Sandown & Shanklin.

From the start, OWs’ forwards tore into the visitors and didn’t allow the Hampshire side to settle.

Skipper David Robertson and Alex Prew were at their harrying best and the breakthrough came after 10 minutes.

Francis D’Souza made a strong run, with the ball passed from Matt Jones on to Robertson only for a visiting forward to lie on the ball in the ensuing ruck. Jones neatly kicked the penalty.

Ten minutes later, the visitors levelled the scores with a penalty, after which play went from end to end with George Attipoe and Tom Wheeler prominent in the home team’s attacking play.

Their first try came right on half-time when a quickly-taken penalty, a drive and quick second-phase ball gave the busy Richard Travers a try to the right of the posts. Jones’s conversion gave the Old Boys a half-time lead of 10-3.

As an even second half progressed, Tudo Schneibner - for whom exams have taken a priority - came on for his first appearance since the sides met last October. Veteran Edward Heavers also came on for the last half hour and gave a masterclass in number eight play.

As the half wore on, two more Jones penalties gave the Old Boys a 13-point lead. Sandown then had 10 minutes of superiority which brought them a converted try, after which the Old Boys hung on grimly for their victory.

Old Wimbledonians visit Old Paulines in the league next Saturday.