Pugh delighted as Wanstead grab last-gasp success over Stowmarket
Wanstead in action earlier in the London Two North East season (pic: George Phillipou/TGS Photo) - Credit: George Phillipou/TGS Photo
Herons recorded 17-15 success at the weekend thanks to try with final play of the game
Bill Pugh was thrilled Wanstead returned to winning ways in London Two North East with a 17-15 success at home to Stowmarket.
The Herons faced Stowmarket having lost 22-17 at Ipswich the previous weekend, the first defeat Pugh had suffered since taking over from David Wiggins in February
The Roding Lane North club delivered the perfect response to that setback by getting the better of Stowmarket at the weekend.
Wanstead showed good composure to see off their Suffolk rivals, with the wind against the hosts in the first half.
You may also want to watch:
And head coach Pugh feels the performance on the whole was to one to be proud, knowing it led to the success for the Herons.
“It was good to get the win after what happened the week before at Ipswich and I was pleased with the display,” he said.
Most Read
- 1 Consultation on proposed controlled parking zones to begin
- 2 More than 100 Covid dead at Queen's and King George this week
- 3 Double murder charge over stabbings, as police name victims
- 4 Redevelopment plans likely to be approved despite 144 objections
- 5 Covid outbreak at Woodford Green care home delays vaccinations
- 6 Council left homeless family 'stuck in cycle of instability', report finds
- 7 Two in five people in Redbridge may have had Covid, data shows
- 8 GPs roll up their sleeves to support colleagues at Queen's Hospital
- 9 Almost 250 homes without internet in Goodmayes after car accident takes out telecoms box
- 10 CCTV still issued of man sought in 'vicious and unprovoked' attack in broad daylight in Barkingside supermarket
“I couldn’t have asked for any more from the players, especially given the conditions.
“They showed great patience and good character in the first half when the wind was against us.
“We trailed at half-time, but we knew we were still in the game and to score the winning try with the last play of the match was brilliant.”
Saturday’s success may also have gone some way to making up for Wanstead’s disappointment following the previous meeting against Stowmarket this term.
When an injury-ravaged Herons side travelled to Suffolk in November, they endured a difficult afternoon and lost 36-0.
The Roding Lane North outfit were able to give a much better account of themselves last weekend, which helped secure the triumph.
And Pugh was pleased Wanstead went some way to atoning for that heavy loss to Stowmarket earlier in the season by beating them on Satuday.
“We were given a good hiding at their place earlier in the season, so we knew we owed them a performance,” he added.
“The performance the boys gave us at the weekend as the type of performance we craved; it was a real squad effort.”
