Wimbledon RFC head coach James Ogilvy-Bull praised his side’s determination after a fine win at Gravesend in London Division One South.

Gravesend, in second, had attempted to ruffle the Dons feathers with an overly physical approach, but the visitors did not relent to return home with a 27-20 triumph.

Ogilvy-Bull said: “It was a game of contrasting sides. Gravesend wanted to bully and beat us into submission but we did not allow them to do that.

“As the match wore on, our fitness showed and we made the tackles that eventually tired them out.

“It was an outstanding performance by everyone.”

Emmet Naughton, Karl Roche and Bryan Croke got the tries, with Neil Hallett’s 12 kicked points, that keeps the Dons fifth, but 15 points off second place.

Ogilvy-Bull said: “We are unlikely to get second place but we could have a say in who wins the title with [leaders] Chichester still to come to us.

“Our main aim now is to complete the season unbeaten, maintain our focus and then take that into the start of next season.”

Wimbledon are paying the price for a mediocre start to the campaign and a string of results that did not go their way by the smallest of margins.

Ogilvy-Bull said: "That was a frustrating period, and it has probably cost us this season.

"But we're building something here and we're hopeful of keeping the main core of players over the summer to maintain the continuity into next season.

"We're losing our tighthead prop Joey Nanai, who is going back to New Zealand, which is a shame because he has been a great servant to the club.

"But the likes of Ben Davies have been competing with Joey for that place, and so we could have a replacement already in place."