Wisbech beat Diss at Harecroft Road

Tries from Joshua Anderson, Adam Bunton and a conversion from skipper Jack Malkin secured a hard-fought victory for Wisbech against Diss.

A tight game in beautiful conditions at Harecroft Road made for excellent watching for the neutrals as two determined sides fought hard for victory, with the hosts winning 12-8.

Diss started on the front foot with an unconverted try in the left-hand corner after some poor defence after just two minutes, the visitors taking a slender 0-5 lead.

The match was incredibly tight throughout the rest of the first half, as both sides struggled in possession in a tight and very physical game.

With less than six minutes to the halftime break, Wisbech were punished for ill-discipline when Solomon Prestidge was shown a yellow card for cynical infringement at the breakdown.

The hosts saw out the remainder of the first half a man down, with neither side adding any further points.

With Prestidge back on the pitch, the Men in Red appeared rejuvenated after the half-time restart and began to pressurise the visitors.

Wisbech's pressure and momentum would be short-lived after the referee deemed they had illegally held on to the ball at the ruck. Diss fly-half successfully converted the penalty to stretch the visitors' lead to 0-8.

After earning a penalty, Wisbech skipper Jack Malkin opted to go for the corner to set up an attacking lineout seven meters from the try line.

From the ensuing maul, the Wisbech launched several phases before being stopped on the try line.

The Men in Red reverted to quick, powerful pick and goes before prop Joshua Anderson powered his way over for the much-needed score.

The conversion drifted wide to leave the score at 5-8 in favour of the visitors.

An intense period followed, with both sides battling tirelessly to make ground.

In the 72nd minute, in what was a very similar try to their opening score, they had worked their way camped on the Diss try line. From the ensuing pick and go, centre Adam Bunton burrowed his way over to secure the home side's second try.

Malkin was on target with the conversion to add the extra two and stretch their lead to 12-8.

A tense final eight minutes saw Diss fighting back for victory and their intensity tested the Men in Reds’ defence.

But Wisbech showed resolve, tenacity and togetherness to withstand Diss’s advances to ultimately take the spoils 12-8 in a hard-fought clash.

Flanker Finley Murdoch was named Bowsers Man of the Match on his 1st XV debut for an outstanding all-around performance.

Wisbech are back in action this Saturday as they travel to take on Cantabrigian RUFC.