Wisbech win 23-15 against Mersea Island in Counties 2 Eastern Counties with tries from Chris Parry (2), Sam Anderson and Gerhard Wessels

Wisbech continued their climb up the Counties 2 Eastern Counties table after they beat Mersea Island 23-15 in windy conditions.

Tries from Sam Anderson, Gerhard Wessels and a brace by Chris Parry secured a brilliant away victory for Wisbech on Saturday.

The Men in Red started on the front foot with a try from Chris Parry off the back of a dominant pushover scrum. The conversion drifted to the right leaving the score at 5-0 to the visitors but Mersea fought back with a try of their own to level the scores.

Wisbech upped the tempo from the restart, dominating possession and territory deep in the Mersea 22-metre area. From seven metres out, the Men in Red turned to the power game.

The forwards, after several strong relentless pick-and-goes, saw flanker Sam Anderson burrowed his way over for the try to restore the lead.

Leading 10-5, the Men in Red added to their tally after winning a penalty which skipper Jack Malkin converted on the stroke of half-time.

Mersea started the second half hungry for victory and their intensity tested the Green and Whites’ defence. Director of Rugby Leonard Veenendaal will be pleased with how his team managed the threat of the Essex side throughout the half.

Wisbech won a penalty and opted for the quick tap and go, working their way into the Mersea half through several phases.

The ball was moved to the left through several hands before centre Gerhard Wessels with a half break found Chris Parry with a long pass, the big No8 brushed the defending winger out of the way to score in the left-hand corner and restore an eight-point lead at 18-10.

However, on 63 minutes Mersea made their pressure count when they were rewarded with a well-worked try through the backs to again cut the visitors’ lead to three points.

Wisbech responded with the forwards carrying up the middle of the field into the Mersea half. Fly-half Jack Malkin found Chris Parry who stood strong in the tackle to offload to veteran hooker Nathaniel Humphreys, who released centre Gerhard Wessels to beat the last defender and go over in the corner to make it 23-15.

The home side continued to dominate in search of a bonus point while the Men in Red defended resolutely. On a couple of occasions, Mersea looked to have broken through in the closing stages only to be denied by a stubborn Wisbech defence.

Wisbech held on to their lead to secure the crucial bonus point win away from home.

Wisbech 1st XV travel to Mildenhall Red Lodge in the Cambridgeshire Junior Cup quarter-final (2.30pm) this Saturday.