RUGBY: Determined Wisbech grind out win over spirited Thurston to break league duck

Wisbech captured their first Eastern Counties 1 win of the season at the at the fourth time of asking by overcoming a spirited Thurston 12 - 5 at Harecroft Road on Saturday.

The first 10 minutes belonged to the visitors putting Wisbech under pressure but the host’s defence held firm and after soaking up the pressure managed to work their way into Thurston’s half.

Eventually the pressure paid off - the ball was worked through the hands to second row and debutant Ashley Corden out wide who went over in the right hand corner to give Wisbech a 5-0 lead.

On the stoke of half time, the ball was worked through the hands releasing Steven Priest who went over in the corner. Jack Malkin added the conversion so Wisbech went into half time 12-0 ahead.

Wisbech started the second half well but errors kept undoing the good work and several try scoring opportunities went begging.

The last quarter of the match was all Thurston with Wisbech putting up a stern defence but the pressure eventually told allowing the Thurston winger to go over in the corner.

Head coach Leonard Veenendaal said: “It was scrappy and not pretty to watch but we will take the win.

“After the Southwold away game I said the team had turned a corner and grinding out this win when by our own standards we did not play well underlined this for me.

“Both Ashley Corden and Arturas Rudys deserve a mention for excellent performances on debut and also captain fantastic Solomon Prestidge for another man-of-the-match performance.

“For us going forward it is the old cliché of one game at a time and we are totally focused on Wymondham away on Saturday.

“The welcome return of Nathaniel Humphreys, James Napier from injury and De la Rey Veenendaal from illness will also further boost the squad’s confidence.”