West Norfolk skipper Savage keeps his promoted side’s start in perspective
Josh Clark scored one of Thetford's tries against Swaffham. Photo: Bill Smith
West Norfolk skipper Lawrence Savage believes his troops can take inspiration from their early-season performances following promotion.
The North Wootton club have narrowly tasted defeat in both of their first two games in London North-East Division Three and have picked up just one losing bonus in the process. But Savage is not feeling too downbeat ahead of his side's latest test at home to Beccles tomorrow.
West's captain said: 'It's been a tough entrance back into the league. Naturally, any defeats are hard to take and we were frustrated to not come away with something from the game against Cantabs as we were in with a shout right up to the final whistle.
'Put into perspective, we've started off playing two sides who finished in the top four last season and only come up just short on the day, so we should take much heart from that.
'Going forward we need to maintain our focus, whilst tidying up on the errors and working on where we can improve. If we continue to do that I'm confident that we will prove to be a force to be reckoned with in the coming matches. Beccles will not be an easy game by any means, but I'm sure our lads can rise to the challenge and come out with a victory to get us back to winning ways.'
Beccles edged Lowestoft & Yarmouth 25-24 last time out to pick up their first victory of the new campaign. West on the other hand failed to push on with a half-time advantage at Cantabrigian and lost 16-7.
In the league Savage's men won last term – Greene King Eastern Counties Division One – it's been a similar winless start for relegated Wisbech and Swaffham. Both have lost their opening two fixtures with Wisbech in desperately disappointing form at the weekend during a 28-0 home loss by Fen rivals Ely.
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Head coach Leonard Veenendaal said: 'It was a disappointing team performance. Our inability to control the breakdown and individual errors cost us.
'We clearly missed Solomon Prestidge's leadership on the pitch. The key isn't to tear up the tactics, but to stay composed and the players have to realise they have to play smarter or they will fall foul of the referee every week.'
Wisbech will aim to bounce back when they travel to Southwold tomorrow while Swaffham look to pick up their first points at home to Mersea Island.
