Wisbech Rugby Club 1st XI beat Fakenham to make it four from four in league
The Wisbech 1st XV made it four bonus point wins from four as they defeated a spirited Fakenham side at the Harecroft Road Rugby Arena.
The game was played in radiant sunshine, which allowed plenty of running rugby to be played.
The game started evenly; however, it was not long before the home side got themselves on the score board.
Wisbech moved the ball well across the pitch with some good interplay between centres Gerhard Wessels and James Napier, before releasing the ball out wide to Ethan Garford - who beat two defenders to score in the corner.
Fly half Jack Malkin converted from out wide.
Despite a sustained period of Fakenham pressure, it would be the home team that was clinical and able to get the next score.
Another well worked try was secured through man- of-the-match Ethan Ethan Garford.
Malkin missed his only kick of the day off the tee, with the score 12-0 to the home team.
Fakenham managed to get back into the game soon after. A lineout in the Wisbech half was quickly moved out to the backs, where gaps opened up and the Fakenham centre crossed the whitewash.
The successful conversion took cut the hosts’ lead to 12-7.
However, with the final play of the first half, Wisbech got over the try line again from a successful rolling maul off a well worked lineout.
The ever present and impressive Solomon Prestidge was the beneficiary, with Malkin adding the extras to stretch the scoreline to a more comfortable 19-7 for the Men in Red going into half-time.
It was clear that the first score of the second half would be crucial to both sides. The home side once again worked the ball well through the backs, with Will Boreham stepping a Fakenham defender and delivering a sweet offload to James Napier - who cut the gap with a strong running line.
Wisbech took further control in the second half, scoring two more tries to take the score to 40 – 7.
The first came via a rampaging Raimondas Vinksna, who went over in the corner after some slick ball handling in the midfield by the tight five.
The second minutes later came from the impressive Will Boreham, who went over in the corner after a training ground move by the backs.
Fakenham fought to the end and grabbed a consolation try in the final 10 minutes - but with the final play of the game, Wisbech managed to score once more.
A strong driving maul was stopped short of the line, but the Wisbech replacement hooker Luke Hair broke from the back of the maul, stepping the cover defence and scoring under the posts.
Malkin’s successful conversion was the final act of the game, with the score 47-12 to Wisbech.
It was well deserved victory for the home side, as Wisbech continued their strong start to the season.
The Wisbech Round Table Man of the Match went to Ethan Garford for his uncompromising energy and physicality, both in attack and defence for the full 80 minutes, whether on the wing or on the back row.
Wisbech director of rugby Leonard Veenendaal said: “Fakenham are a good hard working team, they do not give an inch, always physical and they never stop fighting, but the boys stuck to our game plan and demonstrated good discipline under pressure .
“Complacency was a concern going into the match but the boys came out mentally switched on for a tough battle which ensured we came out on the right side of a few key moments which built our momentum.
“Our set piece was dominant, our defence pretty solid and we did the right things in specific areas of the field.”
Wisbech 1st XV next travel to Newmarket in a top of the table clash, KO 3pm.
Wisbech points:
Tries: Ethan Garford (2), Will Boreham, Raimondas Vinksna, Solomon Prestidge, James Napier, Luke Hare
Conversions: Jack Malkin (6)
