Wymondham 20, West Norfolk 18THIS fixture is always hard fought and Saturday's rugby clash had a bit of extra spice added to it with both teams desperate for their first win of the season.

Wymondham 20, West Norfolk 18

THIS fixture is always hard fought and Saturday's rugby clash had a bit of extra spice added to it with both teams desperate for their first win of the season.

In the end the large crowd left Tuttles Lane having witnessed an enthralling game packed with drama, euphoria and disappointment.

Euphoria - for Wymondham whose try in the 11th minute of injury time brought them level and Tom Wilson's miraculous touchline conversion gave the home side the victory.

Drama - as a further eight minutes was played with Wymondham defending desperately and Barry O'Sullivan's try-saving tackle on Alex Singleton sealing the win.

Disappointment - for West who will feel that this was a game they ought to have at least drawn.

The game began with Wymondham seizing the initiative turning over West possession and putting the visitors on the back foot.

West though, with pace to burn on the flanks, were always dangerous on the counter attack and their first foray into Wymondham territory resulted in a try for Anth Trim as his speed of thought at a line-out caught the home side totally by surprise.

Back in West territory Wymondham's response was immediate as Lee Summers was driven over for his first of two tries.

From the restart former Norwich stalwart O'Sullivan began a scintillating move from inside his 22 that was finally ended with Daniel Coltman scoring in the corner.

Two minutes later Monty Maule brought West to within two points with a penalty from their second excursion into home territory.

Maule was once again heavily involved when his brother Ed released him through the middle and his final pass to Singleton put the winger over and then Maule converted to give West a five-point half-time lead.

West extended their lead 10 minutes into the half with another Maule penalty and leaving Wymondham two scores behind, the home side's failure to convert their first-half dominance now looked set to haunt them as each attack seemed to end with the opposition snatching possession.

Thirty minutes into the half Wilson struck a neat penalty to bring Wymondham to within five points but with the game moving into injury time it looked increasingly like West would go home with the win as they continued to absorb all of the home side's efforts.

Wymondham's forwards had had the upper hand for most of the game though and when Monty Maule's desperate clearance failed to make any ground the Wymondham line-out held firm and Summers was driven over for a replica of his first score, bringing scores level.

Wilson's breathtaking conversion brought a huge roar from the home crowd who were expecting the final whistle to blow any minute.

However, Wymondham then had to endure a further eight minutes with West launching desperate attacks, playing their best rugby of the game but all to no avail as the home side survived.

Leathes Prior man of the match was 17-year-old David Blake, who once again impressed with a solid performance that belies his age. Unfortunately, the traditional bottle of port could not be presented as the young star doesn't turn 18 until next April.

Team: Thomas Wilson, Daniel Coltman, Barry O'Sullivan (Josh Cousens), Mike Kerridge, Ian Harris, Stephen Simms (Pat Reed), Kit Wapshott, Lee Summers, Mark White, Jim Kelly, David Blake, Shane Hickey, Jonathan Coltman (Tony Wishart), Alan Turner, Andrew Nelson (captain).