WISBECH Rugby Club’s relegation battle was boosted this week as news that injured captain Tom Long could return within a month coincided with victory over struggling rivals Campion.

Bottom-of-the-league Wisbech secured their fifth victory of the season with a 22-13 triumph, which keeps their hopes of overcoming a 13-point deduction and beating the drop very much alive.

The club, who are now just four points adrift in the London North-East Division Three league, could also welcome their influential skipper back into the ranks in a matter of weeks.

Long, who has been sidelined for almost three months with torn shoulder ligaments, said: “I’m desperate to get back out there to say the least. I’m chomping at the bit.

“It’s been the longest lay-off I’ve ever had from injury and it has become frustrating. I’m sure I’ll be full of adrenaline when I get back on the pitch.

“I’m just starting to get back to training and it’s now just a case of getting some strength back in my shoulder. I could be fit for a place on the bench in the next three or four weeks.”

Tries from Andy McCubbin, Chris Newns and James Napier, as well as another confident kicking performance from Mark Laws, helped Wisbech to their first win in three games on Saturday.

Long said: “We’ve got Basildon away on Saturday but after that we have a run of three home matches, which we are targeting for wins. That could put us right back in the mix.

“We love playing at home. We always back ourselves at Harecroft Road - it’s a fortress. It’s not very often that we lose there.

“We are all in the same frame of mind and we won’t need much inspiration from me when I get back. Adversity pulls people together and everybody is keen to beat the drop.”

• Wisbech II were unable to match the first team’s victory as their miserable run continued with a 65-5 defeat to high-flying Diss III. The second string, who are locked in their own battle for league survival, travel to fellow strugglers Holt II on Saturday.