Comprehensive defeat for Wisbech at Woodbridge
Wisbech 1st XV suffered their second defeat of the season last Saturday when they were comprehensively beaten by Woodbridge at Hatchley Barn.
It was 15 minutes before Woodbridge took the lead as they scored a try through full-back Thomas Ives. Fly helped Jamie Smith, who threw in the conversion to give the home side a 7-0 lead.
Wisbech’s poor discipline in the mishap that would prove to be their Achilles’ heel all afternoon resulted in them giving away a penalty. Jamie Smith pointed to the posts and took the free kick to extend the lead to 10-0.
The men in red’s case was not improved by the lack of a substitute as Raimondas Vinksna picked up a rib injury and the only substitute on the M25 from Portsmouth University was unfortunately delayed.
Woodbridge was in control and it showed after 25 minutes when center Jean-Paul Hart scored his second try of the game.
Wisbech finished the half strong but with multiple penalties and a lack of discipline was unable to take her chances in good positions which would result in Woodbridge clearing her lines which cost Wisbech dearly as they went in 15-0 down in went the break.
Last week’s free-flowing attacking rugby from Wisbech was nowhere to be seen as Woodbridge’s momentum carried over into the second half.
Wisbech slowly came out of the starting blocks in the second half and Woodbridge paid them off with a penalty just seven minutes later to extend their lead to 18-0.
Wisbech had strayed from his traditional high-tempo offloading play for the unfamiliar crash-ball approach, constantly flipping an out-runner.
The Wisbech forwards struggled with the break and rucks that produced a slow ball that Woodbridge defended with ease.
Pinned down in the half by a disciplined Woodbridge side, Wisbech tactically naïvely tried to force the game, attempting to run each ball from deep behind the payline only to be knocked back rather than clearing their lines and to kick field position through a stubborn Woodbridge defense.
Woodbridge withstood pressure from Wisbech and responded by scoring his third try of the game through winger Oliver Brown to extend the home side’s lead to 23-0 with 15 minutes remaining.
After the game was over, Wisbech started a comeback too little too late, scoring two consolation attempts in the final 10 minutes to reduce the score to 23-12 as Wisbech went home with his second loss of the season.
Wisbech rugby director Leonard Veenendaal said: “Today’s result was an example of what happens when you take your opponent for granted. Woodbridge taught the boys a lesson about what happens when you do it.
“We’ve created our own problems, starting with poor training and unavailability for travel, and that’s not good enough
“Our poor discipline and inability to implement our game plan has cost us dearly and I urge the players to respond positively with commitment, starting in training and at Fakenham.”
Next, Wisbech travels to Fakenham, which has traditionally not been a happy hunting ground for the men in red, for their last league game before Christmas.
Wisbech 1st XV: 15 Samuel Anderson 14 Raimondas Vinksna 13 Lewis Haddon 12 Ethan Garford 11 Andrew Martin 10 Gerhard Wessels (c) 9 Zac Lakey 8 Toddy Case 7 Brad Williams 6 Skippy Parsons 5 .Solomon Prestidge 4. Jack Obey 3. Kerrie McMullen 2. George Overland 1. Josh Anderson 16. Frazer Brown
