Wisbech 12 - Crusaders 16

ECL1 - 24.9.16

Crusaders started well, their forwards making some penetrating runs at the Wisbech defence. This early pressure was rewarded when from a well won ruck ball scrumhalf Ryan Harris excecuted a perfect box kick for winger Lewis Kenworthy to beat the Wisbech defence and touchdown out wide. Gareth Drewery's conversion attempt from the touch line and into a strong wind drifted narrowly wide of the far post.

A shaken Wisbech replied with a fierce attack on the visitors line but the crusaders defence held firm. Total committment from both sides began to take its toll. And while Greg Thurston and Harris were receiving treatment on the touch line Wisbech scored an equalising try, their strong running winger with a physique of a No. 8 touched down unnaposed. With both injured players unable to resume a reshuffled Crusaders did well to restrict Wisbech to 12-5 at half-time.

Wisbech resumed the second half in confident mood but this soon ebbed as a determined Crusaders pack took contol of the scrums. The Wisbech pack were now being forced into mistakes and from the resulting penalties Conan Hoey pinned Wisbech back in their 22. From the resulting lineout Wisbech failed to contain Crusaders rolling mall and the visitors pack crashed over for their second try, but the conversion was missed 12 - 10.
Crusaders replacements Lewis Smith and Rob Loone were making an impact and Wisbech's narrow lead was looking in peril. A tiring Wisbech pack conceded more penalties and Gareth Drewery converted two to give the visitors a deserved result to take home 12 - 16.