London Division Three North East Wymondham 14 Wisbech 38 SOME superb rugby from forwards and backs saw Wisbech cruise to their fourth win on the trot away to Wymondham in London North East division three at the week end. From the start, it was clear that

London Division Three North East

Wymondham 14 Wisbech 38

SOME superb rugby from forwards and backs saw Wisbech cruise to their fourth win on the trot away to Wymondham in London North East division three at the week end. From the start, it was clear that all Wymondham had in their locker was a strong rolling maul, an aggressive inside centre and a good number eight. Wisbech responded by absorbing any pressure in the maul, waiting for the mistake and punished them with extremely well worked tries. Within the first ten minutes Wisbech had scored two peaches. Will Pettit threw a long cut out pass to Jon Turner whose pace out stripped the defence to touch down, Mark Laws added the conversion. The next came from some great scrapping by Andy Claydon who seized on a loose ball from a turnover, slipped it to Tom Long who found Phil Martell in space to cross for the second try, Laws missed with the conversion but a 12-0 lead had been established.

Wisbech were simply magnificent in the opening period, excellent rucking from the forwards produced quick ball time and again. Tom Martell was his exuberant self and was everywhere making life difficult for the opposition at the break down. This style of play led to the third try. Again from a turn over, Pettit got the ball to the outstanding James Napier who danced his way past a couple of defenders to score; Laws slotted the conversion to stretch the lead to 17-0.

Towards the end of the first half, the home side began to string some possession together, for a full 15 minutes Wymondham had the ball in and around the half way line, mauling and trying to gain ground. But it was Wisbech's defence that proved superior and they retained their advantage at the turn around. James Griffin and Chris Newns were prominent, led by an old head in Kris Feaviour up front.

With less than five minutes played of the second half, the try of the game was scored. Wymondham kicked long only for Napier to collect and begin a mazy run out of his own 22 standing defenders up and leaving them in his wake, flanker, Adam Preece was on hand to receive the pass in turn put away Pettit to score with a brilliant flat pass. Laws made it 24-0 with the conversion.

To their credit, Wymondham preserved with their game plan and finally from a maul their open side found himself in space to score a converted try to reduce Wisbech's lead to 24-7defence. Wisbech were by no means finished and it was Turner who made the hard yards beating three defenders to set up a ruck from which Pettit received the ball to score, Laws was again accurate with the boot to stretch the lead to 31-7. And it was Laws who finished off Wisbech's scoring with a fine individual try that he converted for a 38-7 lead. Wymondham held out for a further consolation that was converted with the last kick of the game for a final score of 38-14.

This was all round excellent performance from Wisbech; centre Jon Turner was nominated as the Viscribe man of the match and the results leaves Wisbech in third place behind Canvey Island but are level on points with three matches to play and travel to Wanstead next week and will hope to maintain their form.

The seconds travelled to Diss on Saturday with just 15 players. Solomon Prestige had his first run out for a couple of years and Wisbech turned in a spirited performance finally losing 15-11 to a strong home side. Stand in skipper Jim Mitchell praised his troops and was particularly pleased with the attitude of those who travelled.

Wisbech's points came from the boot of Sam Anderson and a splendid try by debutant Tom Gosling who combined well with Dan Roberts.