Wisbech make hard work of home league win against Woodbridge
A nail-biting finish for Wisbech 1st XV saw the Men in Red return to winning ways at Harecroft Road with a 24-19 win over a stubborn Woodbridge on Saturday.
Tries from Kean Kemsley, MJ Wrights, a brace from Luke Green, two conversions from skipper Jack Malkin and a determined defensive effort led by Elgoods man of the match Lewis Haddon secured a hard-fought victory to move the team back to second in the league standings.
Wisbech director of rugby Leonard Veenendaal said: “It was a frustrating error-ridden performance from us and we were lucky to snatch a late victory from the jaws of defeat which is just not good enough.
“All credit to Woodbridge who came to play and made life very difficult for us but we made our own problems through poor ill-discipline and poor decisions.
"For the second week in a row, we outscored our opponents try-wise, only to allow them back into the game with an unacceptable penalty count which is extremely disappointing and something we will have to address before going to Fakenham.
“On the positive side, it was great to welcome back Ethan Garford, Harry Lott and Lewis Haddon, measured by the impact they had you would not have thought they had lengthy absences away from the game,
“Despite playing poorly by our own standards, we were able to show composure to secure the win, which was without doubt down to some superb leadership from skipper Jack Malkin."
The match was incredibly tight throughout the first half, with both sides seeing a lot of the ball in early stages.
The Men in Red scored the first points with a try, earning a penalty five meters from the Woodbridge try line.
From a set piece move Wisbech's Man Mountain Luke Green powered over and skipper Jack Malkin converted to give the home side a 7-0 after 15 minutes of play.
But Woodbridge kept the scoreboard ticking over scoring two consecutive penalties to keep them in the match.
Leading 7-6, the Men in Red added to their tally with another try, good phased play saw the ball worked down the backline to release winger Kean Kemsley who beat his opposite number to score in the right-hand corner, the conversion drifted wide leaving the score at 12-6 to the hosts.
Wisbech's ill-discipline at the breakdown earned the Warriors another penalty which they slotted away to reduce Wisbech’s lead to a mere 12-9.
However, minutes later Wisbech made their pressure count, from a well-taken lineout from Olly Mackett put the Wisbech forwards on the attack.
Several patient carries took them to within two meters of the Woodbridge try line, Luke Green on hand to score his second going over in the left-hand corner. The conversion drifted wide to leave the score at 17-9 to the home side.
Woodbridge fought back to win a penalty on the stroke of half-time which they converted to reduce their deficit going into the break 17-12 to the hosts.
The Warriors started the second half hungry for victory and their intensity tested the Men in Reds’ defence.
An intense period followed, with both sides battling tirelessly to make ground.
Wisbech’s persistence in attack saw a series of failed attempts to convert their chances, and both sides failed to capitalise on strong positions throughout the second half.
However, Woodbridge where first to make their pressure count, they rounded off a fine attacking move with an unconverted try in the right-hand corner to snatch the lead 17-19 with 10 minutes to play and Wisbech all to do.
A tense final ten minutes saw the Men in Red up their game taking the game to Woodbridge with several dominant carries and relentless phases of attack earned them an attacking scrum in the Woodbridge half.
From a dominant scrum, the Wisbech forwards set-up up two quick phases, before MJ Wright rounded off with a well-taken dummy pass to slip through the gap and score under the post to reclaim the lead.
Malkin was on target with the conversion to increase the hosts' lead to 24-19 with three minutes to play.
Wisbech will next be in action when they travel to high-flying Fakenham on October 12.
