Rugby Report: Wisbech 1st XV take win against Thurston

Fort the last win Wisbech enjoyed over Thurston you would have to go back to February 2020, with the Men in Red claiming the spoils 28-17 at home. 

The 2021-22 season was the last time these two sides met in the league with Thurston claiming the win in both home and away matches so it was not unexpected the West Suffolk side were odds on favourites for the opening round of Counties 2 Eastern counties league 2024-25.

Injury troubles and unavailability continued to create a selection dilemma for Wisbech director of rugby Leonard Veenendaal and this was further exacerbated when two players withdrew on the morning of the match.

Veterans Ben Chapman, Sean Hawthorn and Steven Priest stepped up at late notice and did their club proud with their respective performances.  

The Men in Red responded with a much-improved performance, scoring six tries to claim a 40-19 try bonus point win over a spirited Thurston.

Wisbech withstood pressure from the visiting side early on, as both sides looked to break the deadlock. Some clever interplay from the Thurston backs set up the first try of the game to give the visitors a 7-0 lead.

However, an instant response from the Men in Red whose controlled phase play put them in the visitors 22 and, after an inspired pass from skipper Jack Malkin found left wing Luca Hardy who went over in the corner, the conversion went wide to leave the score at 7-5 to the visitors Thurston.

But a determined Thurston came back with a try of their own to solidify their lead with a conversion and put themselves 14-5 ahead.

The Wisbech forwards where starting to take control of the match as they unleashed a barrage of pressure on the visitors, quick ball though the backs released right wing Kean Kemsley to score the first of his two tries, Malkin on target with the conversion cut the visitors lead to two points, 14-12.

Not to be overshadowed by the backs’ fine attacking moves, it would be a forward who would be the next to score,  Raimondas Vinksna drove his way over the line, Malkin adding the extra two with the conversion with Wisbech now leading 19-14 as the whistle blew for half time.

Wisbech picked up where they left off, scoring two converted tries in twenty minutes through powerhouse Luke Green and right wing Kean Kemsley his second, to establish a commanding position over Thurston, who were desperately trying to find their way back into the game.

Wisbech once again found themselves over the whitewash with ten minutes to play as Will Borham powered over for another converted try, establishing a 40-14 lead with 10 minutes to play.

A flurry of fine attacking moves from Thurston set the game up for a cagey final 10 minutes as the away side tried to claw their way back into the fixture in search of a four try bonus point.

After an incredible defensive display that saw the Men in Red concede just once in the final ten minutes despite a mountain of pressure from Thurston, the final whistle blew, giving Wisbech a 40-19 win with a bonus point.

It might sound cliché but it was truly a team effort with every players stepping up to the mark with and exemplary leading from the front performance from skipper Jack Malkin.

Several players could easily have claimed the Bowsers Man of the Match which was awarded to young flanker Ari Baghdouyan, whose defence was outstanding and his lineout presence faultless.

Several players could easily have claimed the Bowsers Man of the Match which was awarded to young flanker Ari Baghdouyan (Image: Wisbech Rugby Club)

Wisbech will next be in action on Saturday, September 14, away to old rivals Crusaders Rugby Club who they last played back in February 2020.

A match Wisbech narrowly won 27-31, which was also their final match when the league was prematurely halted as the country went into lockdown.