WISBECH Rugby Club’s sensational effort to fight off relegation continued on Saturday as they crushed struggling rivals Mersea Island at Harecroft Road.

Just two months ago, the club’s fate looked to have been sealed when they were condemned to the bottom of the table by a 13-point deduction - imposed for fielding an ineligible player.

But the 36-5 triumph has left a fired-up Wisbech just three points away from hauling themselves out of the London North-East Division Three drop zone.

Captain Tom Long, who returned to action on Saturday after three months on the sidelines, said: “It was a really good win and a very positive performance. We played well for the whole 80 minutes and really put them to the sword.

“We played to our game plan and we played fast, hard, running rugby that they couldn’t cope with. To return in a match where we’ve won - and won in that manner - was especially nice.”

Tries from Chris Newns, Phil Martell, Sam Anderson, Tom Martell and Mark Laws helped Wisbech romp to the victory, which also secured them a valuable bonus point.

With new first team coach Ben McCall in place until the end of the season and key players returning from injury, Long said his troops are confident of pulling off a miraculous escape from relegation.

“Everybody is keen to stay in this league,” he said. “We all know that this is the level we should be playing at and it’s just one costly mistake that has put us in this position.

“The appointment of Ben has given us some new ideas. It was a very positive move from the club to put their trust in him and it has given us a real boost.

“It’s all starting to come together. If we can push on and stay in the league then there could be greater things to come from us.”

Wisbech take on Wymondham tomorrow knowing a strong performance could see them out of the relegation zone for the first time since the deduction.