Wisbech rounded off their pre-season by putting seven tries past Spalding Development at Harecroft Road on Saturday.

There were tries from Kerrie McMullen, Ben Chapman, a brace from Nathan Goodale and a hat trick from De la Rey Veenendaal, with three conversions from fly half Jack Malkin.

It was a much improved performance compared to the previous week’s 31-7 loss to West Norfolk XV.

Wisbech host Thetford in their Greene King IPA Eastern counties 1 opener tomorrow, kick-off 3pm.

McMullen was driven over for the game’s opening try then Malkin chipped the ball behind the defence for Veenendaal to score Wisbech’s second try.

From a lineout 10 metres out, Ben Chapman was driven over to give the hosts a 15 – 0 half time lead.

Then, Prestidge released Goodale who beat two defenders and showed good strength to drag a third defender over in the right hand corner for an excellent try, converted by Malkin.

Veenendaal got Wisbech’s fifth try with a superb solo effort, beating five defenders in the process. Malkin bagged the conversion.

A powerful drive from the forwards saw Goodale score his second before debutant Albert Smith, 17, went over in the left hand corner, only to be denied by the officials.

With five minutes left, a well worked backs move saw full back Nick Thompsett make the break.

With the cover defence closing in Thompsett found Veenendaal on his outside, who handed off the cover tackle and scored his third try, converted by Malkin.

Head coach Leonard Veenendaal said: “The squad were disappointed in their below standard performance the week before and the work they put in at training paid off.

“Spalding showed glimpses of their quality and abilities with ball in hand but with continued pressure at the breakdown we never allowed them to play.

“It is an encouraging performance especially considering managed to keep Spalding scoreless.

“I have to mention Prestidge, Steven Priest and man-of-the-match Chapman who played really well but we need to keep our feet on the ground.

“This league is new to us and we have not played these teams in a while, so its an unknown quantity, but all we can do is control ourselves and play our game, executing it to the best of our ability.”

Wisbech tries: McMullen, Chapman, Goodale 2, Veenendaal 3. Cons: Malkin 3. Man of the match: Chapman.