Wisbech RFC under-16s reach Cambridgeshire Cup final after beating Peterborough 48-19

Wisbech under-16s continued their development with an impressive 48-19 win at Peterborough in the Cambridgeshire Cup to seal their place in the final on Sunday.

The mantle of favourites hung heavy for once and while not at their fluent best for large parts of the game, a blistering start gave Wisbech a platform that the home side could not match.

Powerful carries, great continuity and their renowned defence were the key differences between the sides. Given the context of the game, missing some key players from the squad and uncontested scrums taking away a major part of the game plan, it was a performance the players and coaches were proud of.

Under-16s coach Steve Drawbridge said: “Big shout out to the returning Zeeve and Alfie, great see you back and Will’s first start at fly-half was instrumental in all that was good for us.

“Tom Wicks was tireless in a huge out of position performance. Truthfully, we had 17 men of the match. With three from three County Cup wins we look forward to a deserved cup final against Cambridge in three weeks’ time.”

Wisbech under-15s put together a dominant performance against Norwich on a warm sunny Sunday morning at Harecroft Road.

From the kick off Wisbech showed their intent not to get bullied off the ball with some stifling defence and suffocating rugby not allowing Norwich any time on the ball. The back row and the centres rampaging round the field, stopping any momentum and turning over the ball time and time again.

Wisbech scored the opening try with a driving maul from a lineout five metres from the Norwich’s line. Wisbech scored again under the posts with some slick inter play and direct running.

Wisbech scored a third try, straight off the training ground. Again after a lineout peel and quick ruck, the ball was moved through the backs. The ball was passed back to the forward and the Wisbech number seven flanker barraged through for a great try under the post, displaying all the skills learnt over that last year.

Minutes before the break, the Norwich backs finally got some ball and looked threatening, their blisteringly fast outside centre managed to catch the ball and through sheer pace broke through a couple of tackles to score under the posts to make it 21-7 by half-time.

The second half saw Wisbech score a further two ties as they ran out 33-13 winners.

Coach Grahame Gadd said: “This game had it all. Fast Hands, great vision, great game management, huge set piece dominance and near perfect defence.

“The boys showed calm heads under pressure and once again played above all expectations.”