Injury-hit Wisbech II crash out of Norfolk Plate while first team triumph in Vase
WISBECH II were dogged by injuries on Saturday as they crashed out of the Norfolk Plate with a bruising 41-7 defeat to Beccles II.
The second string were unable to repeat last season’s cup heroics as Tim Mason, Toby Lindley and Ryan Turton all suffered nasty knocks.
A powerful Beccles side started on the front foot at Harecroft Road, racing into a 19-0 lead.
Wisbech’s problems were compounded when Mason suffered a spinal injury, leading to a change of pitch while he waited for treatment.
New signing James McElduff led a mini-revival for the hosts as he crashed under the posts for a try converted by stand-in fly-half Sam Anderson.
But their joy was short-lived as number eight Toby Lindley suffered an eye injury early in the second half - and the misery continued as his replacement Ryan Turton was knocked unconscious.
Wisbech put up valiant resistance but Beccles proved too strong in the closing stages, sealing a comfortable win with more tries.
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The seconds have an opportunity to gain revenge tomorrow as they travel to Beccles II in the league.
• WISBECH will be looking to beat East London for the second time in seven days when the teams clash at Harecroft Road tomorrow.
The depleted first team had to call on all their resources to send a side to the capital for Saturday’s Senior Vase fixture.
But Wisbech returned with a 17-0 win, thanks to tries from flanker Jack Smith and stand-in skipper Will Pettit - and three successful kicks from Mark Laws.
The visitors held on to the win despite having Johnny Blunt red-carded for violence and Shane Vickers controversially sent-off for, what the referee deemed, an illegal spear tackle.
Manager Cliff Humphreys said: “It was an excellent all round team performance and I must thank those lads who stepped in late on.
“There was a band of brother spirit within the team.”
Wisbech face bottom-of-the-table East London again tomorrow in a London North East Division Three clash (kick-off 3pm).
