Weakened Mersea side fell to a heavy defeat at Wisbech

MERSEA ISLAND 3

Eastern Counties League division one

A WEAKENED Mersea side fell to a heavy defeat at Wisbech.

The Islanders were missing a number of first team regulars through injury and other commitments.

The home side showed their intent early in the first half and put constant pressure on the visiting defence.

Wisbech ran in a number of tries before Mersea skipper Jon Williams was able to slot a penalty to put three points on the board for the visitors.

The Mersea defence was tested throughout and the commitment to tackling saw a number of injuries with visitors reduced to 13 men by the final whistle.

A back injury to full-back Ed Smith saw the game moved to another pitch as he couldn’t be moved until paramedics arrrived.

Williams said: “I can’t praise the players highly enough.

“Wisbech are a strong physical side and everyone put in 100 per cent effort and commitment.

“We travelled with only one substitute and the physcality of the match led to a number of injuries and we ended the game two players down on the pitch.

“However, nobody dropped their heads and carried on in great spirit.

“Hooker David Cawtheray was my man-of-the-match, he put in some immense tackles during the game and had to leave the field.

“Ed Smith was also injured and had to be taken to hospital to check out his back but luckily it was muscle damage and not more serious.”