The Wisbech Wildcats containing a number of club veterans, a couple of players returning from long injury layoffs as well as no less than four young players experiencing their first adult rugby made the short journey to Ely for their third ‘Friday night under the lights’ match.

From the kick off Ely got off to a good start camping in the Wisbech half and making the Wildcats defend for all their worth.

The Wildcats defence stood firm and eventually managed to work their way into the game with backs and forwards putting in big carries.

Impressive back row Patrick Grote made one of his many powerful breaks to get behind the defence, with the cover defence closing in on him he found Ben Chapman on his shoulder who shrugged off two defenders for a 22 meter run to score under the post for a converted try and 7-0 lead.

Most off the half stayed a tight affair with both sides having their chances only to be denied by an uncompromising defence from both sides.

Just before half time Ely managed to score a well worked unconverted try, with Wisbech going into the break leading 7-5.

Ely started the first half like they did the first putting Wisbech under pressure which eventually earned them their second unconverted try to take a 10-7 lead.

Ely continued their dominance with ball in hand and were rewarded with a third unconverted try to stretch their lead to 15-7.

The Wildcats responded clawing their way back into the game stringing together a number of phases, the ball was worked wide to release Ben Goude on he left wing who crossed to for a the Wildcats second try converted by Josh Anderson taking the score to 15-14, Wildcats now trailing by one point.

Both sides were up for it with neither side giving or asking a quarter.

With five minutes to go, Wisbech secure the ball on the half way line, the forwards carried strongly over the advantage line producing quick ball which was worked to the right, veteran David Wadley broke a tackle offloading to the ever present Dale Houghton who found a gap and released Lee Hunt on the right wing who managed to outpace the last Ely defender going over in the corner for a unconverted try and snatching the lead back 19-15.

From the restart Ely through everything at the men in red but the Wildcats to a man defended for all they worth until the final whistle earning them their fourth straight win and retaining their 100 per cent win record.

Across the park their where numerous outstanding performances, all four the young players stepped up and can hold their heads high, David Wadsley and Dale Houghton in the backs were immense.

Up front in the forwards Ben Chapman, Mark Goude, Adam Curtis, Patrick Grote and Josh Anderson put in a huge shift but Simon Blackwell for his tireless work rate in his first game in over a year was awarded the Wildcats Round Table Man-of-the-Match!

Club Chairman Leonard Veenendaal, said: “It was a highly entertaining match played in the best of spirit and Wisbech Rugby Club wish to thank Ely for stepping in and taking on the unscheduled fixture at late notice and their excellent hospitality. The were a number of positives, in particular the performances of the four young lads were encouraging and bodes well for the future of Wisbech Rugby.”