Wisbech earn play-off place with superb win over league champions

EASTERN COUNTIES DIVISION ONE Wisbech 19 Lowestoft and Yarmouth 10 WISBECH Rugby Club finally beat the newly-crowned league champions at the third attempt to secure a play off against Campion the runners-up in the Essex league for a place in London North

EASTERN COUNTIES DIVISION ONE

Wisbech 19 Lowestoft and Yarmouth 10

WISBECH Rugby Club finally beat the newly-crowned league champions at the third attempt to secure a play off against Campion the runners-up in the Essex league for a place in London North East Four next season.

The match is scheduled to be played on April 25 and the venue to be confirmed.

Wisbech head coach Steve Drawbridge said: "Both clubs agreed it was the best game of rugby they have been involved in this season. The lads did me proud to beat a very strong side."

Wisbech were magnificent in their approach, execution and team work to outscore the opposition three tries to one.

The visitors looked to overpower Wisbech in the maul, line-out and scrum and Wisbech countered with some extremely good rucking, and looked to move the ball through the backs.

Rudi Van de Merwe opened the scoring, followed by a try from Jack Holyes.

James Napier finished the scoring and player of the year Andy Claydon kicked two conversions.

Ben Chapman was outstanding in the second row before leaving the field through injury before half-time.

Will Pettit again showed what a class act he has become and skipper Andy Hoyles was imperious at No. 8.

n Wisbech held their annual players' dinner at the clubhouse on Maundy Thursday.

Scrum-half Andy Claydon was named as player of the season, second row Ben Chapman was voted the most improved first team player.

In the second team, the scrum halves kept the awards to them selves as Jack Malkin was named as the second team player of the year and Matt Mitchell collected the second team most improved player of the year.