Wymondham 24, Crusaders 12Crusaders and Wymondham began their pre-season build-up with this friendly rugby fixture at Little Melton.With both clubs missing several key players it was not surprising that both teams looked more than a little ring rusty.

Wymondham 24, Crusaders 12

Crusaders and Wymondham began their pre-season build-up with this friendly rugby fixture at Little Melton.

With both clubs missing several key players it was not surprising that both teams looked more than a little ring rusty.

Played over three 30-minute sections Wymondham just about edged the proceedings but Crusaders will likely take more from the game following some excellent defensive performances against a dominant Wymondham pack.

Crusaders went ahead as they capitalised on some poor Wymondham play inside their own twenty-two and Will Crome found himself on the end of a three-on-one overlap to open the scores.

Towards the end of the period

Lee Summers crashed over to bring the scores level following some powerful forward play.

In the second period Wymondham used the slope and wind to their advantage and had Crusaders under the cosh, but some magnificent last-ditch defence restricted Wymondham to one try, superbly taken by Tom Crowe.

At the start of the third period Soul Pheonix grabbed Wymondham's third score as the pack continued to dominate with a pushover try, but then a howler in midfield gifted Crusaders' Ash Smith with a 50m intercepted score that gave Crusaders the chance of a draw.

However it was Wymondham's Stephen Simms who scored next, which James Wyatt converted, giving Wymondham a pleasing win and lots to work on over the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, Wymondham Rugby Club Minis make a start to their new season on Sunday September 5.

Following on from last season, which must rate as one of the most successful for the club, the coaches, players and parents will be turning up at the Tuttles Lane home of Wymondham Rugby Club on Sunday September 5 to make a start to the new season.

Wymondham Minis either train or play friendly matches against other local clubs every Sunday right through to the end of the season next April.

The club organises a traditional rugby tour each year for the minis to travel and play teams from further afield and also hosts touring sides at Wymondham.

Rugby Union is one of the country's fastest growing sports and looks to get another boost with the Rugby World Cup taking place in 2011.

Wymondham Minis currently have over 200 players in squads from under six years old through to U12s and are open to both boys and girls.

If you are interested in coming along to find out more and give Rugby a go, please just turn up at the Rugby Ground on Tuttles Lane at 10am on Sunday September 5 and somebody will point you in the right direction.

Alternatively email Robert Burton, chairman of the Minis, on robert@burton2004.fsnet.co.uk or phone him on 01379 677257.