Wisbech Rugby Club defeat Norwich Union in London 3 Eastern Counties action at Sprowston Cricket Ground
Wisbech made it back to back London 3 Eastern Counties wins on Saturday when they beat Norwich Union 22-14 at Sprowston Cricket Ground.
Tries from veteran Shane Vickers, Luke Green, Sam Anderson and Isaia Baro saw the Men in Red secure a league double over their opponents.
Prior to the game there was a minute’s applause in honour of Jack Jefferey who tragically lost his life playing for Evesham RFC last weekend. Both teams also temporarily retired the number 11 shirt for the game as a tribute.
It took 30 minutes before the first points were scored with a try under the post from Shane Vickers. Anderson missed the conversion to leave the score at 5-0 to the visitors.
In-form Luke Green strengthened Wisbech's lead ten minutes later, showing good strength to power his way over the try line to score next to the post. The score remained at 10-0 to the visitors going into the break.
Norwich outside centre Ryan Day scored a second half try and Alex Sinclair added the extras to narrow the score to 7-10.
Johnny Short then scored for Union, with Sinclair again adding the extras to take them into a 14-10 lead.
Poor discipline from the Men in Red saw Solomon Prestige receive a yellow card and ten minutes in the bin, and Shane Vickers joined him shortly afterwards.
Head coach Gerhard Wessels will be pleased with how his team managed the threat of Norwich Union throughout this period.
With Prestidge back on the pitch for Wisbech and less than 15 minutes left on the clock, the Men in Red had Sam Anderson manage to charge down a Union clearance kick to run through and score under the posts. Isaia Baro slotted over the conversion to see Wisbech retake a 17-14 lead.
A fine attacking move sparked by the influential Gerhard Wessels was rounded off by a fantastic break from centre Isaac Tunikula, with the conversion missed and the score standing at 22-14.
Ultimately it was Wisbech who took the spoils after a fantastic match, with fly half Gerhard Wessels named the Wisbech Round Table man of the match.
There were also stand-out performances from skipper David Wadsley, Zac Lakey, Ben Goude and Rory Wills.
Speaking after the match, Wisbech director of rugby Leonard Veenendaal said: "I am delighted for the boys, they went out there and they put our game on the park. They rode out some periods where we were under some heavy momentum from a determined physical Norwich Union side.
"Under huge pressure and two men down we held them out and then obviously we took our chances when they came up. Skipper David Wadsley showed great leadership to hold it together through this tough period.
"I’m really pleased for our pack, they stood up to a really strong opposition pack today and we came out on the right sides of the fine margins of London 3 league rugby."
Next up for Wisbech's 1st XV is the visit of high-flying Newmarket. On the same day, the Wildcats welcome Wendens Ambo for a thrilling double header at Harecroft Road on March 5.
