Wisbech Rugby Club thump Cottenham Renegades in Counties 2 Eastern Counties League

Wisbech stormed to an emphatic 95-7 bonus point win over visitors Cottenham Renegades on Saturday afternoon.

Despite scoring a try and most of the first half being a close affair, Renegades were on the back foot for the majority of the game – with the Men in Red showing their dominance throughout.

However, the visitors showed grit and determination to push back right to the end.

It took ten minutes for the first score, when Wisbech’s Charlie Talmage rounded off a strong attacking move for the home side. The Men in Red pack asserted themselves early on and their power rattled the visitors.

Skipper Jack Malkin converted to give the home side a 7-0 advantage.

Renegades responded positively, a trademark of their spirited physical side, with a series of carries of their own, testing the Wisbech defence.

But solid Wisbech defending turned the ball over and they were back on the attack, the ball being moved across the pitch and releasing full-back Sam Anderson to cross for the first of his two tries. Malkin was again on target with the conversion to add the extra two.

With the score at 14-0, it was clear that the visitors were not going to be deterred by the home side’s league position. Renegades’ spirits were not dampened as the visitors scored a wonderful try through centre Tucker that capped off an excellent attacking move.

Fly-half Daniel Stockbridge was on target with the conversion to make it 14-7.

Then came a wave of Wisbech power and dominance. Talmage, Wessels, Haddon and Vinksna all added further tries to ensure a try bonus-point ahead of half-time, giving Wisbech a comfortable 40-7 lead over the away side.

The second half saw supremacy from the home team as they built a lead of 95-7. Renegades would not be disheartened though, and their spirit and will saw them battle until the end.

Wisbech director of rugby Leonard Veenendaal was delighted with the team’s performance.

He said: “A lot of credit has to go to head coach Gerhard Wessels. The boys have been working hard since that disappointing loss to Woodbridge before Christmas and we wanted to put what we worked on and spoke about into today’s game.

“We set out to deliver a clinical accurate performance and the boys did not disappoint.

“It was truly an all-round team performance with the boys working to for each other to ensure every opportunity is converted into points, and with 15 tries scored and only one conceded you have to be pleased, especial considering Renegades managed a 22-14 win over the same Woodbridge side in January we lost 23-12 to in December.

“Several players stood out, Charlie Talmage with a four tries is in fine form, Solomon Prestidge was as usual immense, Gerhard Wessels and James Napier dominated the midfield.

“But Ethan Garford in the back row was simply outstanding, earning the Wisbech Round Table man of the match award.

“But the job is not done and we know there are three more tough games to get through, and we cannot afford to get complacent.”

Wisbech will next be hosting league leaders North Walsham II in a top-of-the-table clash.

Walsham overcame Wisbech 9-0 in the reverse fixture back in December, and sit in first position with one point more than second-placed Wisbech – who do have a game in hand.

But Veenendaal is in confident mood ahead of the biggest Counties 2 Eastern Counties game this season.

He added: “We have been in this position before and I guess the experience and learning journey has helped me be more calm and confident then on previous occasions.

“We know we have to beat them to ensure we go top of the league with two matches to play, but more importantly to ensure our undefeated home record this season remains intact.

“We have done our homework, we have trained well and we head into the match with confidence and self believe.

“It is going to be a titanic battle but whatever the score-line is, let’s hope the game is played in excellent spirit and reflects the best standard of rugby in this league and which both teams strive for.”

The clash will take place on Saturday at 3pm, with Harecroft Road the venue.