Wymondham 16, Basildon 24

A month ago Wymondham were given a lesson in up front rugby on their way to losing 76-0 at Basildon.

While the Essex side won again on Saturday Wymondham looked a completely different team, full of pride and passion, and had their opportunities to win the game.

The hosts took the lead with their first venture into the Basildon half when a penalty allowed Stephen Simms to split the uprights. The hosts extended their lead to 6-0 with another penalty kick by Simms before Basildon went over in the corner, a feat made easier by the sin-binning of hooker Thomas Browes.

However, Wymondham remained focused and resilient and Simms kicked a third penalty on the brink of half-time to send them in 9-5 ahead.

After the break Wymondham thwarted the Basildon attack on numerous occasions, with centres Barry O'Sullivan and Penia Sokia showing no leaks. Sadly it was another sin-binning that gave Basildon the advantage, this time Chris Brown seeing yellow for not binding in the scrum. During the 10-minute period with the Wymondham pack reduced to seven Basildon scored twice, both push-over tries, and with the first being converted, to make it 17-9 to the visitors.

Wymondham were by no means finished and continued to play with belief and from a line-out the forwards used the rolling maul to good effect before Lee Summers broke to score in the corner. Simms stepped up to convert to make it 16-17.

Wymondham were then unlucky not to retake the lead with a fine move that ended with Jake Gover crashing over in the corner but the try was ruled out for a foot in touch. Basildon, needing four tries for maximum points, were rewarded soon after with a well worked converted try. Wymondham kept battling, with two penalties going just wide as their chance of a losing point disappeared.