EDF ENERGY JUNIOR VASE, SEVENTH ROUND Wisbech 6 Lowestoft and Yarmouth 18 WISBECH Rugby Club bowed of the national EDF Vase after a superbly supported and thoroughly tense encounter with their Eastern Counties Division One rivals. More than 600 supporter

EDF ENERGY JUNIOR VASE, SEVENTH ROUND

Wisbech 6 Lowestoft and Yarmouth 18

WISBECH Rugby Club bowed of the national EDF Vase after a superbly supported and thoroughly tense encounter with their Eastern Counties Division One rivals.

More than 600 supporters saw a late drop goal put the game beyond Wisbech's reach and deny them a quarter-final place.

Wisbech head coach Steve Drawbridge said: "The match was played to a very high standard and I'd be very surprised if Lowestoft don't go on to win the tournament.

"They have a very big, powerful side and our guys stood up to them tremendously well. Andy Hoyles, Andy Claydon Ben Wicks and Tom Martell were particularly outstanding for us.

"It was a phenomenal effort from all the volunteers at the club to put on an event of this scale for the people of the town and the support we got was tremendous.

"We're still very much in the league title race and we have a Cambs County cup final to play against Shelford in April so our season is still very much alive."

Two Jack Hoyles penalties had Wisbech 6-0 up after 13 minutes.

The visitors piled on the pressure and superb tackling from Martell prevented a certain try.

Tom Long was outstanding at full-back and Rudi Van de Merwe tried everything he could to gain some momentum.

Lowestoft and Yarmouth lay siege to the Wisbech line in the last 10 minutes of the first half.

From a line-out hooker Shaun Woodhouse bundled his way over the line and the try was converted as the visitors sneaked a 7-6 half-time lead.

Wisbech responded in the second half with some great breaks by Jacques Steynberg, James Napier and Will Pettit.

The Wisbech forwards were magnificent, refusing to yield to the huge visiting pack.

Constant Lowestoft and Yarmouth pressure was rewarded with a Taylor Crisp try 30 minutes into the second half. The conversion was missed and it was 12-6 to the visitors.

Wisbech took the game to their opponents with coach Steve Drawbridge emptying his bench.

Neil Hunt added some zest to midfield and Dave Wadsley tackled ferociously.

With five minutes left, Lowestoft and Yarmouth were awarded another penalty this time it was converted for a 15-6 lead, leaving time and a chance for Wisbech to respond only for the visiting fly-half to drop a goal to take the final score to 18-6 a the referee blew for full time.