A FIRED-UP Wisbech Rugby Club responded to being plunged into a relegation battle by striking late to beat Bancroft 18-16 on Saturday.

Full back Mark Laws came off the bench to kick a last-gasp winning conversion for Wisbech, who are rooted to the bottom of their London Three North East League after being deducted 13 points for fielding an ineligible player.

Stand-in skipper Shane Vickers said: “We were pretty fired up for this game because now we really have something to play for.

“As soon as the lads found out what had happened with the deduction, nobody was negative. They all turned around and said: ‘We’ve really got something to play for now.’ We are all hungry for it.

“It would be a hell of an achievement to stay up but we can do it.”

An Andrew Claydon penalty gave Wisbech an early lead but Bancroft quickly found their feet, slotting over two penalties and scoring the first try of the game to take an 11-3 lead.

But another Claydon penalty and a fantastic team try finished by Will Pettit saw Wisbech go in level at the break.

Bancroft took a 16-11 lead with their second try but as the final whistle approached it was the visitors who had the final say.

Man of the match Chris Newns crashed over to set up a match-winning conversion for substitute Laws, who held his nerve to help Wisbech to a valuable four points.

Wisbech, who have now reduced the gap at the bottom of the league to five points, play mid-table South Woodham Ferrers tomorrow. Kick-off is at 2:15pm.