VICE-CAPTAIN Verity Allen claims Wisbech ladies’ first win of the season has sent a defiant message to their new premier league rivals.

Wisbech enjoyed near invincibility last season - powering to the Division One North title with a magnificent 22-game unbeaten run in the league.

But the ladies have suffered a brutal welcome to life in the East Women’s Premier League, recording one draw and six losses in their opening fixtures.

Defender Allen, who helped Wisbech stop the rot with a 3-1 win over Colchester on Saturday, said: “Good things come to those who wait. We’ve been progressing every week as a team and on Saturday we were back to our old selves.

“That result should send a bit of a message to the league. Hopefully the other teams will see it and think that perhaps those early defeats didn’t do us justice.”

A brace from player of the match Claire Apted and a Jane Peggs strike helped Wisbech haul themselves off the bottom of the table with Saturday’s victory.

Allen said: “We’re just underdogs who have come up from the league below - that’s what teams think of us. That’s what Colchester thought on Saturday and they got a shock.

“It’s an achievement in itself for a town like Wisbech to be playing in this league, up against massive teams like Canterbury and Bedford.

“It’s never nice when you’re losing but I think Saturday proved that the team spirit is still there. We’re working for each other and you only had to see the celebrations at the final whistle to see how much it means to us.”

Wisbech will continue their fight to avoid relegation with a tough trip to high-flying Canterbury tomorrow.

Allen said: “We always try to be optimistic and we always go out to win but we’re also realistic. We know there are some very good teams in this league. Our main aim is to improve our hockey and learn from other sides.”