Rugby: Win for Wisbch against Crusaders on Saturday

Winning is always nice but winning on the road is priceless as Wisbech 1st XV secured a bonus point victory in their second game of the Counties 2 Eastern Counties league campaign  overcoming old rivals Crusaders.

The game was played in glorious early season sunshine and the going under foot was very firm, which allowed some fast running rugby to be played.

The Wisbech forwards formidable scrummaging and line-out dominance assured set-piece dominance allowing the backs a number of opportunities which ultimately proved to be the difference between the two sides on the day.  

The game started evenly; however, it was not long before the away side got themselves on the score board just after the first quarter.

The Men in Red moved the ball well across the pitch with some good interplay between centres Freddie Napier and flanker Olly Mackett, before backrow forward Raimondas ‘the bulldozer’ Vinksna went over from short range.

In a show of ‘whatever the forwards can do the backs can do better’ the second try soon followed after Stafford Proctor released Kean ‘Kiki’ Kemsley who come in off his wing to go over under the posts.

Despite a sustained period of Crusaders pressure and Wisbech ill-discipline, three points proved to be all Crusaders could muster in the first half and it was the away team who were able to get the next two scores just before the break.

A well worked dominant driving maul from the lineout after a great acrobatic take by Olly Mackett was the source of the next try with ultra-veteran Nathaniel Humphreys the beneficiary touching down over the whitewash for the first time since 2016, leaving the score at 3 – 26 at the interval in favour of the visitors.

Wisbech’s formidable scrummaging assured set-piece dominance. (Image: Leonard Veenendaal.)

Wisbech picked up where they left in the first half as The Men in Red once again worked the ball well through the loose with young George Overland on his first appearance at prop breaking tackles and gaining yards in his best display in Wisbech 1st XV shirt to date.

This lead to some good field position and from the ensuing scrum, the tribal Zach Lakey was able to pressure the Crusaders back line and secured a well taken interception to finish from close range with captain Jack Malkin once again adding the extras of the tee. 

Wisbech stepped up their dominance which provided backs James Napier and Jack Malkin to both score after some strong running from centre/utility forward Will Boreham.

Despite some further mutual ill-discipline Wisbech were able to add a final try via Vinksna to complete his hat-trick.

Somewhat disappointingly Wisbech who had been excellent in defence had a laps in concentration allowing Crusaders in to score out wide on the final whistle which left the final score at 10 - 52.

Notable mentions need to go to Ryan Duffy at looshead, Ollie Lake and returning Rory Willis who proved a dependable set of hands as part of the back solid back three. 

Wisbech Elgoods man-of- the- match went to powerhouse second row Luke Green who was dominant and physical both in attack and defence.

Luke Green was named as Man of the Match (Image: Leonard Veenendaal.)

The Men in Red moved the ball well across the pitch with some good interplay but still a number of things to work on ahead of two tough upcoming fixtures at Harecroft road West Norfolk & Woodbridge respectively. 

Wisbech will welcome West Norfolk to Harecroft road on Saturday for what is always a fiery fiercely contested local derby, kick off 3pm.