TRAINING sessions and warm-up games are now in full swing for Wisbech Rugby Club, as they prepare for life in the London League Division 3 North East. The Fenmen secured promotion last year from the Eastern Counties League and coach Steve Drawbridge is co

TRAINING sessions and warm-up games are now in full swing for Wisbech Rugby Club, as they prepare for life in the London League Division 3 North East.

The Fenmen secured promotion last year from the Eastern Counties League and coach Steve Drawbridge is confident his side will hold their own.

"We have a number of big battles in front of us but hopefully we can consolidate our position," he said. "I'm confident we will do well.

"We have pretty much the same team as last year; there are a couple of additions and a couple have moved on. But we are still looking to strengthen."

Wisbech have also started a third team this year, made up of veterans and younger players. They will play a number of friendly games throughout the season with a view to entering a league next year.

Drawbridge said: "Last year we had eight or nine subs in the firsts and the reserves every week. Some of them never got a game.

"We have a duty to provide rugby in the community and the new team goes some way to achieving the ambition."

Pre-season preparation saw the firsts and reserves play Ely at Harecroft Road on Saturday. The firsts made hard work of putting their counterparts away, but the seconds acquitted themselves well and played some attractive rugby to outscore their opponents.

Wisbech play their final pre-season games tomorrow (Saturday) at Fakenham, before hosting Billericay in the first league game of the season on September 12.

Training continues on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Harecroft Road, starting at 7pm.

Wisbech's London 3 North East fixtures

12/09/2009 Wisbech - Billericay

19/09/2009 West Norfolk - Wisbech

26/09/2009 Wisbech - Canvey Island

10/10/2009 Wisbech - Wymondham

17/10/2009 Lowestoft & Yarmouth - Wisbech

24/10/2009 Wisbech - Dagenham

07/11/2009 Upminster - Wisbech

14/11/2009 Wisbech -South Woodham Ferrers

28/11/2009 Basildon - Wisbech

05/12/2009 Wisbech - Wanstead

12/12/2009 Beccles - Wisbech

19/12/2009 Wisbech - West Norfolk

09/01/2010 Canvey Island - Wisbech

16/01/2010 Wymondham - Wisbech

23/01/2010 Wisbech - Lowestoft & Yarmouth

30/01/2010 Dagenham - Wisbech

13/02/2010 Wisbech - Upminster

20/02/2010 South Woodham Ferrers - Wisbech

06/03/2010 Wisbech - Basildon

20/03/2010 Wanstead - Wisbech

27/03/2010 Wisbech - Beccles

10/04/2010 Billericay - Wisbech