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Leonard Veenendaal’s team dominate at Harecroft Road after defeat to Ely




Wisbech 1st XV rediscovered their winning form when they beat Fakenham RFC 51-12 at Harecroft Road on Saturday afternoon.

Coming into the match off the back of a tough defeat to Ely, Leonard Veenendaal’s team put in an assertive and dominant performance and well-deserved their win.

The opening minutes belonged to the home side, who repeatedly caused problems for the Fakenham defence. Wisbech phase play and good handling was rewarded when the ball found Nico Steenkamp who sprinted 30 metres for the opening try.

William Lankfer (4959558)
William Lankfer (4959558)

From the restart Wisbech continued to put the visitors under pressure and within seven minutes William Lankfer got the ball to James Napier in space who stepped his way past two defenders to score under the post. Andy Claydon successfully converted to stretch the lead to 12-0.

Wisbech continued to set the pace and James Patrick powered his way past a couple of defenders to score minutes later. Steenkamp missed the conversion; 17-0.

Andy Claydon clearing the ball (4959552)
Andy Claydon clearing the ball (4959552)

Again Wisbech strung together several phases from the ruck in the Fakenham 22, the ball was spun out to the left to find Solomon Prestidge, who sold a textbook dummy to score a captain’s try in the left hand corner, giving Wisbech a comfortable lead of 22-0 as the first half came to an end.

Fakenham were the first team to make an impact in the second half, scoring after a sustained piece of attacking play, reducing the lead to 22-7.

The next 20 minutes belonged to Fakenham as they scored a second unconverted try to narrow the lead; 22-12.

Nathan Goodale on the charge (4959556)
Nathan Goodale on the charge (4959556)

Wisbech looked to take back control and it was the hosts who scored next. Big Nathan Goodale, who had been putting in several powerful carries, powered his way over for an important try. Steenkamp was unsuccessful with the conversion.

A stunning individual try from William Lankfer further extended the lead 15 minutes later. The Oundle School A-level student ran 40 metres before eventually diving over. Super sub Jack Malkin slotted over the conversion; 34-12.

The extremely experienced Shane Vickers showed his class to score a brace of tries within five minutes. Malkin ran the game from fly half and rightfully scored the final points of the day with a lovely break for a converted try.

Mikey Watts. (4941735)
Mikey Watts. (4941735)

William Lankfer, or Big Bad Bob as his team mates call him, just edged the impressive Skippy Parsons for the Wisbech Round Table man-of-the-match award for his all-round outstanding performance.

Wisbech 1st XV next face Woodbridge away while the Wildcats are also on the road away to Wendens Ambo.



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