West Norfolk need one point from final home game to confirm league survival
West Norfolk need just a point from their final home fixture of the season against Wymondham tomorrow to secure their league status for next season.
It promises to be a huge fixture against their Norfolk rivals, who West beat in an extremely competitive first game of the campaign.
With Diss seven points behind and with a slightly better points difference, West need just a point to survive while Diss travel to fourth placed Ely for their final game of the season.
West Norfolk go into the game on the back of a heavy 63-10 defeat at Diss last weekend.
The game saw West Norfolk’s recent unavailability woes continue with only 11 first team players available through injury and work commitments.
West Norfolk’s squad was bolstered with youth and experience from the development squad who courageously gave the game their full commitment.
Head coach Darren Clarke commented: “When you only have 11 first team players available on Thursday night you know that Saturday is going to be tough.
“However despite being well beaten by a more organised and powerful Diss side the scoreline does not always tell the full story.
“A massive thanks to Josh Nelson, Sam Peak and Jake Huggett for travelling and giving their absolute all whilst Sam Moses filled in despite a chest infection, as well as others playing with injuries.”
Clarke added: “The middle 50 minutes of the game saw very little between the two sides and it was only a slow start and tired finish that made the large points difference.
“I must praise the experienced first team players Hayden Revell, Dan Nunn, Edney Costa, Joe Lewis-Mitchell for keeping the inexperienced lads going, continuing their high commitment levels and holding heads high throughout.
“The highlight of the day though had to be the return to playing of Jack Wicks after nearly six tough months on the sidelines.
“Jack brought his return forward to help out the side and despite the long lay-off he showed what we have missed while he has been out injured; it was great to have him back.”
The hosts were in dominant mood early on, running in four tries to give them an early bonus point lead.
With changes needing to be made, West brought on the trio of Sam Moses, JJ Hart and the returning Jack Wicks who had not played since September following a nasty broken ankle.
Centre Joe Lewis-Mitchell spotted a gap down the blindside to register West Norfolk’s first try of the game as they went into the interval trailing 42-5.
With words of positivity and encouragement from coach Clarke, West continued to fight despite the one-sided scoreline throughout the second half.
Experienced prop Dan Nunn scored West Norfolk’s second try of the game before the home side took full advantage of some tired legs to run in a further three tries.
Joint Adrian Flux men-of-the-match were Edney Costa and Josh Burgess.
Tomorrow also sees West Norfolk Seconds travel to their counterparts from Crusaders for their final game of the season.
A 3pm kick-of time is to be confirmed. This will be updated across West’s social accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter if there are any changes.
