A warm and sunny day at Harecroft road on Saturday, September 8, proved to be an omen for a bright performance from the Wisbech side, but ultimately, they were left frustrated with a lukewarm result.

A new look Wisbech saw director of rugby (DoR) Veenendaal field sxi new players in his starting XV and in the early stages, Wisbech enjoyed a spell of sustained pressure and possession deep in the Thetford half.

From the start it was end-to-end rugby played at a high tempo, both sides testing the other. However, it would be the Thetford who would strike the first blow with a successful penalty capitalising from Wisbech’s ill-discipline to take a 3 nil lead.

Wisbech continued to dominate, camped in the Thetford half, the pressure told and the eager Thetford defence was caught offside. Harry Newman successful with the ensuing penalty to draw level.

Thetford produced a moment of rugby magic, from a quick tap penalty catching the Wisbech defence napping to score a converted try in the corner.

The half time score stood at 3-10 for Thetford.

The second half started in the same way as the first, the Wisbech forwards were battering the Thetford line.

Despite Wisbech taking control, it would be Thetford who would score next. A momently laps in concentration in the Wisbech midfield saw the ball fumbled and Thetford centre Will Martin seized the opportunity to glide in for an easy intercept try to stretch their lead to 3-17.

Wisbech’s discipline began to falter, Thetford were awarded a penalty to give the away side the lead of 3-20.

Heading in to the final 15 minutes, Wisbech again took control but poor decision making and simple errors continued to plague the home side.

However, a catalogue of errors in attacking play saw Veenendaals’ men score one converted try before the final whistle. The Round Table Man-of-the Match Ben Wicks was the scorer, converted by Newman, but it wasn’t enough to get the team the victory they feel they might have deserved.

The final score, 10-20 for the away team

Speaking after the game, DoR Leonard Veenendaal said: “Today’s result was an example of what happens if you don’t take your chances. Thetford gave the lads a lesson in what happens when you do.

“We made our own problems and that’s not good enough but we have some positives to take from the result.

“It does not get any easier next week when we host league tile chasing Holt, but it also presents the squad an opportunity to show our supporters the lessons they have learnt and the rugby we are capable of playing.”

Wisbech host Holt at Harecroft Road on Saturday September 15, kick-off 3pm.