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1st XV - Saturday 12th of
April 2003
Wisbech 13
Crusaders 16
Crusaders get a lifeline as Wisbech stumble in injury time
Crusaders grabbed a dramatic Eastern counties 2 North League lifeline at the Harecroft Road Ground on Saturday with a penalty kick in injury-time to snatch victory, and thus a priceless 16 - 13 win putting them clear over relegation rivals Newmarket and Wisbech.
The game was tight all the way to the final whistle with penalties being traded for the entire first half and it ended 6 - 6 at half time, Mark Laws kicking two penalties in the first half. Wisbech never giving up took the lead in 70-minute through a stunning individual effort try from winger James Comben. Wisbech flyhalf Mark Laws converted to make it 13 - 6 in favour of Wisbech. With the scoreboard and the final whistle looming Crusaders through caution to the wind kicking into the corner - it bounced in every direction leaving three Wisbech players stranded as a Crusaders player gathered the ball to score in the corner. The conversion was good and it was 13 all. Then disaster struck for Wisbech in the final minute of the game. Wisbech captain who up to then had played his hart out and put his body on the line the culprit that conceded what was to be the deciding penalty to give Crusaders a 16 - 13 win and possibly the biggest defeat Wisbech suffered this season. Had Wisbech won they would have found themselves fifth in the league but the loss means Wisbech drop to seventh and within the danger bottom four which could see Wisbech relegated in a proposed new league structure for next season. After the match a disappointed Wisbech skipper Paul "Slippery" Lee paid tribute to the supporters, praising their loyalty and support throughout the season. He also praised and thanked his players for
"sticking with the job under difficult circumstances". He went on to pay special tribute in congratulating in-form centre Rudie Van der Merwe who had been selected to represent Eastern Counties on April the 16th.
"This is the first time Wisbech have had a senior player representing the club at this level for as long as any one here can remember, and his [Rudie] selection goes a long way in restoring some of our lost pride this season" he said.
Report by Leonard Veenendaal
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