If league points were given for attacking prowess, style and adventure, Weybridge Vandals would have comfortably claimed the spoils against league leaders Wimborne on Saturday by some distance.

But as it happened, it was the visitors who ran out 34-12 winners in a game in which they demonstrated the forward grunt and defensive resilience that may well send them to the Regional Two South Central title come the end of April.

Tries from centre Sam Bullett and number eight Cam Edgar, under the watchful eye of Surrey Men’s Assistant Head Coach Neil Hallett, were not enough as Vandals fell to a fourth defeat of the campaign.

But head coach George Pickersgill, back on the touchline after his honeymoon, will have seen more than enough to back up thoughts of Vandals forcing their way into the league’s top four – despite the Desborough Island outfit now languishing tenth in the table.

Leading the charge: Prop Josh Thomas attacks the line in the build up to Vandals' opening try in Saturday's defeat to Wimborne

Truth be told, Vandals dominated the opening 25 minutes of Saturday’s contest and might have been ahead had they made more of two attacking lineouts close to Wimborne’s line.

As it was, the visitors, backed by a vociferous travelling support, were able to take advantage of their sizeable forwards to open up a 12-0 lead – with Vandals conceding penalties while on the attack to open the door on each occasion.

Vandals hit back when they finally converted from an attacking lineout inside the Wimborne 22 - abrasive runs from prop Josh Thomas and man of the match Ollie Walker paving the way for centre Sam Bullett to score in the corner.

The Brownacres outfit were their own worst enemy when, despite steadfast defence, a string of penalties on their own line would allow Wimborne to extend their lead to 19-5 on the stroke of half time, after their forwards took advantage of a scrum from five yards out.

Vandals turned around with optimism knowing they had played the rugby in the first half, but it was Wimborne who would extended their lead early in the second half – to the relief of their fans – albeit from a try that might have been chalked off after appearing to be dropped over the line.

The hosts battled back minutes later through captain-on-the-day hooker Cam Edgar – back after missing last week’s defeat to Havant – and the hosts sniffed a shock.

But Wimborne added a penalty and then a converted try in the closing 15 minutes to secure a victory that cemented their spot at the top of the table and left Pickersgill’s men frustrated.

The visiting coaches admitted their team had faced their stiffest test of the season thus far, which means Vandals can go into the upcoming rest weekend with confidence.

The return of blindside Walker, hooker Edgar and openside Rory Taylor in the forwards and the continued good form of Bullett, Harry Weatherall and Dan Krikorian in the backs, are a reason for optimism with Vandals having now played three of the top four teams.

With 13 first team regulars unavailable at the time of writing, Pickersgill will hope his squad can return refreshed ahead of the trip to Twickenham on November 14.