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Wisbech back on the
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WISBECH take centre stage on the local front this weekend when they continue their bid to reach a Twickenham final.
The Fen boys visit London Exiles for a fifth round tie in the RFU Junior Vase and success would put them through to the London and South East semi-final of the competition - three games away from the showpiece final at RFU headquarters.
Wisbech have twice before got to the last eight of this national competition but they know full well they’ll need to be at their very best to get a result at the home of the in-form Exiles.
The club based in Barnes are top of Surrey League Division One with a tasty record of 10 wins and a draw from their 12 games and are enjoying their best season ever since their formation in 1986.
It will be the first time Wisbech have been forced to play away from Harecroft Road in the competition, which has already seen them cruise past Old Brentwoods, Thetford and Billericay.
Wisbech vice-captain Shane Vickers said: “We know this will be our biggest test so far and that just makes us more pumped for it. All the lads are really excited and training hard.”
Wisbech, who sit second in Eastern Counties Division One, warmed up for the game with a massive 77-3 walloping of Woodbridge in their last league game a fortnight ago.
And that match saw the return from injury of influential skipper Tom Long, who broke his thumb in the first game of the season.
Long, who has spent 11 years at Harecroft Road, considered quitting the sport after the injury but after a lot of thought decided to play on - much to the relief of everyone at the club.
The 31-year-old said: “It did cross my mind to stop playing. In the immediate aftermath of an injury like that you question everything and you go through things in your mind.
“I did have some discussions behind closed doors about maybe giving it up but I know myself that I feel strong again now.”
Vickers, who took over the captaincy in Long’s absence, said the return of Long has given the club a massive boost as they gear up for a crucial match.
He said: “Tom is one of the older heads and we need that experience. It’s great to have him on board for the younger guys to look up to.
“Even though he’s been injured, he’s still been a big influence throughout the season, helping me out behind the scenes.
“He’s a leader on the pitch and he’s also a leader off it.”
Coach Ben McCall added: “His strong leadership around the park and his enthusiasm have been missed and it’s good to have him back. Everyone was glad to have him bossing them around again!
“Tom has real strength of character and his desire to see Wisbech Rugby Club do well knows no bounds. His attitude alone makes him the first name on most teamsheets.”
On the league front several local clubs are playing games that were postponed on January 14.
Borough visit Market Rasen with a squad boosted by the return after illness of Sam Crooks but they’re still missing key players like Duncan Low, Dave Harding-Prior, Jonny Hartwell, Alun Meadows and Ben Crooks through injury.
Head coach Stuart Low will be looking for a massive improvement on Borough’s last outing - a 55-9 loss at Matlock a fortnight ago when a lack of discipline cost them dearly.
Three players were sin-binned and for most of the match Borough were short-handed.
“Our youngsters must learn that poor discipline will lose games and impact significantly on the team performance,” said Low. “Playing 60 per cent of the match at least one man down and questioning every decision will only ever result in one outcome.”
Borough beat Market Rasen 26-7 at Fengate back in September but Rasen enter the game on the back of a good 38-5 win over Loughborough two weeks ago.
Peterborough Lions will be looking to get their promotion bid back on track tomorrow at Bretton Park.
The Midlands Division Two East table-toppers entertain Oadby keen to erase the memory of their last game - a 25-22 defeat at Market Harborough.
FIXTURES
RFU Junior Vase
Fifth round: London Exiles v Wisbech.
English Clubs Championship
Midlands Division One East: Market Rasen v Peterborough, Spalding v Coalville.
Midlands Division Two East (South): Peterborough Lions v Oadby, Vipers v Huntingdon.
Midlands Division Three East (South): Bedford Swifts v Deepings, Queens v Stamford.
Midlands Division Four East (South): Stamford College Old Boys v Old Newtonians, Thorney v Stoneygate, Westwood v Oundle.
TEAMS
Peterborough (away to Market Rasen): From: Dinsdale, Chapman, Cook, Askew, Hodges, J. Thompson, Fernie, Loades, S. Crooks, Pilkington, Warlow, Carrington, Peel, Prytherch, Beall, Harry, Jacobs, Sansby.
Peterborough 2nds (v Leicester Lions): J. Harrison, Redhead, Goodley, Oulton, Kennedy, T. McClure, Parker, Moore, S. Richmond, Marshall, Wiles, Catterall, A. Richmond, Thorne, M. Harrison. Subs: Kimber, S. Peel, Chan, B. Morley.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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