Wisbech Rugby Club beat Newmarket in London 3 Eastern Counties while under-14s dispatch West Norfolk
Wisbech Rugby Club made it three wins in three on Saturday when they beat Newmarket 12-7 at Harecroft Road.
Wisbech were the first to get points on the board when Raimondas Vinksna drove over the line off the back of a scrum to score a try for the home side. Shane Vickers converted to give the home side a seven point lead.
Laurie Stevens was shown a yellow card for a high tackle, allowing Newmarket back into the game as Harvey Bell slipped through the Wisbech defence to score under the post for the easiest of converted tries to level the scores.
The Men in Red found another gear in the second half, and their relentless attacking threat was rewarded with a penalty five metres from the Newmarket try line.
Wisbech's forwards did not disappoint, driving the Newmarket pack over the line and allowing the Men in Red’s Vinksna to score his second try from the base of a powerful Wisbech scrum. The conversion was missed, leaving the score at 12-7 to the host.
Wisbech held on to their lead and took the spoils in a fantastic match of London 3 Eastern Counties rugby.
Speaking after the game, Wisbech director of rugby Leonard Veenendaal said: "Today’s result was built on a pack of forwards who were simply outstanding, dominating all the facets of set piece and the backs steered by our skipper Gerhard Gerhard Wessels ran hard lines and defended doggedly for 80 minutes.
"Jack Jackson who had not played since the autumn came off the bench as an injury replacement just before half time and made an instant impact which further lifted the boys.
"Any of the players would have been worthy but Raimondas Vinksna's unwavering carries with ball in hand earned him the Wisbech Round Table man of the match award.
“As a squad and club we are 100% focused on taking on the league leaders and ending our season on a high, hopefully with four wins in a row."
Wisbech's final league match sees them face league leaders Holt at Harecroft Road on Saturday at 3pm.
Elsewhere, Wisbech's under-14s side were 56-10 victors over West Norfok.
The game started with Wisbech kicking off with a long ball and a quick chase, putting pressure on West Norfolk from the start.
Danny West touched the ball down for the opening try, with the conversion being slotted straight through the middle of the posts by Archie Grange-Hall.
With Wisbech not letting off any pressure, the second converted try came quick - this time via Archie Upton. West Norfolk then linked some good plays together and made it to Wisbech’s try line, but the youngsters dug in deep and withstood wave after wave.
Archie Upton then ran the full length of the pitch for his second converted try. West Norfolk pulled everything together and went over for their opening try, but unfortunately the extra point went wide.
Danny West went over for his second of the half - also converted by Archie Grange-Hall - with the half ending with Wisbech 28-5 up.
The second half started with West Norfolk scoring straight from the off and again missing the extra points.
Wisbech rallied again with five changes, and the fresh legs started to pay off with two quick converted tries being run in by Ackara Black and Elliot Brown, with the finishers making the difference.
Another converted try was sealed by Elliot Brown, and with the final play Ackara Black ran from Wisbech’s own 22 to score under the posts - with Archie Grange-Hall making it 100% from his eight conversions with the final score Wisbech 56-10 West Norfolk.
Coach Marcus Hall said: "It was a great all round performance by the whole team. With each performance getting better and better. The whole team are looking forward to their next game in the county cup when they host Cambridge."
