Wisbech Wildcats rue rugby lapses and poor discipline in defeat by Shelford 4ths in Eastern Counties 2 West at Harecroft Road

Wisbech Wildcats were left to rue their lapse in concentration and poor discipline when they were beaten 33-34 by Shelford 4ths in the Eastern Counties 2 West league on Saturday afternoon at Harecroft Road.

The match began in a similar vein to the previous encounter between the two sides, with both teams equal in possession and territory.

However against the run of play, Shelford were the team who broke the deadlock on the 14th minute with a unconverted try to take a five-point lead.

Minutes later from the restart Wisbech began to pressurise the visitors. Wisbech's relentless attacking threat was rewarded when James Cox dotted down for a converted try, Wisbech taking a 7-5 lead.

Wisbech continued to build a comfortable lead with further tries from Raimondas Vinksna, Josh Anderson and Nathaniel Humphreys on his first match returning from a six week injury enforced lay off.

With ten minutes to half time Wisbech were punished for ill-discipline. Andy Claydon, who earlier this season received a red card for a similar offence, was a bit luckier this time around when he was shown yellow to earn 10 minutes in the sin bin for a high tackle.

Shelford made the most of their numerical advantage with two scores before the half-time whistle came, leaving the score 28-17 in favour of the hosts.

The second half began with the visitors fired up but Wisbech were matching their intensity appearing to have regrouped in the second half after Raimondas Vinksna scored a brilliant try to increase the lead to 33-17.

Shelford responded aggressively closing the gap a try unconverted try to close the gap to 33-22.

Twenty minutes into the second half and in control Wisbech opted to press the self-destruct button, Nathan Goodale shown a red card for fighting, effectively reducing the Men in Red to 14 for the remaining 20 minutes.

With their tails up the visitors pressed their extra man advantage for another converted try to reduce the Wisbech lead to 33-29.

A further opportunity went astray when the Wisbech had a two-man overlap running at the Shelford backline at pace.

Once again, poor decision making not to pass let the side down.

Shelford were making the most of their numerical advantage, it appeared to be Shelford afternoon when they managed another try to snatch a one point lead.

Shelford withstood late pressure, winning the game 33-34 and leaving Wisbech wondering how they manged to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Raimondas Vinksna with two tries and throughout the match posed a threat with ball in hand, was named the Wisbech Round Table Man of the Match.

Next up, Wisbech 1st XV travel to high fliers Cantabs in London 3 Easter Counties league while the Wildcats face a return match to Shelford.