WYMONDHAM were able to show that they have taken rugby to new levels at the Foster Harrison Memorial Ground and demonstrated just how far they have come this year when they completed a tough league and cup double header in the penultimate weekend of their season.

WYMONDHAM were able to show that they have taken rugby to new levels at the Foster Harrison Memorial Ground and demonstrated just how far they have come this year when they completed a tough league and cup double header in the penultimate weekend of their season.

Having had to postpone fixtures due to the bad weather the 1st XV, who have now gone for four weeks without a competitive fixture, faced back-to-back games this weekend.

On Saturday Cantabrigians travelled to Wymondham and were beaten comprehensively by the Norfolk side, which ran in eight tries in the Eastern Counties League One fixture, whilst on Sunday they entertained National Two side Cambridge, in a rescheduled Eastern Counties Cup semi-final.

The two matches represented a great opportunity for the Norfolk side to use many 1st XV and squad players, but they were under no illusions that the weekend would stretch them.

On Saturday Cantabrigians showed real commitment in the forwards and held the league champions to a mere 12-5 lead at the interval. However second half hat-tricks from wingers Will Mitchell and Ian Harris helped the club on the way to a 55-12 final score.

Sunday's fixture was a far more challenging proposition as the Norfolk Champions were drawn against Cambridge, who play their rugby an incredible six leagues above Wymondham, to meet in the semi-finals of the Eastern Counties Cup.

Injuries to Adam Cousens and Pena Sokia from Saturday's encounter meant that the two influential backs joined an injury list that already included player/coach Nick Greenhall and 1st XV skipper Jon Morfoot.

However Wymondham were undeterred and relished the challenge of National League opposition.

“Playing a professional outfit like Cambridge in the cup is a great opportunity for players at this level and we were determined to represent our club and the county well in the competition,” said coach Tim Malone.

“We led for almost half of the game and the players showed real grit and determination to keep the score line competitive in what was a real David and Goliath encounter.”

Indeed the hosts got off to a dream start when fly half Pat Reed found Alex Brugger with a long miss pass and the Wymondham winger rounded his opposite man to touch down out wide. Further pressure led to a successful Jack Peacock penalty and the home crowd suddenly saw their team take an unimaginable 8-0 lead.

An unsighted referee then awarded a try to the visitors. The controversial try only seemed to spur the Wymondham pack into action and prop Lee Summers came close to scoring following a number of aggressive drives. However the visitors defence held strong and their own hard work was rewarded with a try on the right wing to give Cambridge a slender 8-10 lead at half-time.

The second half saw the visitors extend their lead as they seemed to find another gear. It seemed as though at any moment the floodgates would open.

However Luke Hickey and Will Mitchell were leading a valiant defensive effort. Powerful forwards Josh Reeve and Tony Wishart were determined to keep taking on Cambridge up front and the latter was awarded a try when he drove a quickly tapped penalty over from 10 metres out in the dying minutes of the game and kept the scoreline to a respectable 13-36.

The Wymondham coaches were full of praise for the commitment of their players over the weekend, many of whom had to perform in two consecutive days.

They will look forward to capping off an excellent season when they face Thurston at home in their final league game this weekend.