Herons were without a game last Saturday owing to break in league fixtures

David Wiggins knows Wanstead must triumph at Stowmarket on Saturday if they are to keep up with the current top three in London Two North East.

Ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures, the Herons are currently fourth and three points adrift of Saffron Walden in third.

Depending on how things pan out this weekend, a defeat for the Roding Lane North club could see them fall eight points adrift of the top three.

However, a win could catapult them up to third if other results go their way and director of rugby Wiggins wants his team to triumph as a minimum.

“We have to win on Saturday so that we can keep up with those above us, but every game is vital by that token,” he said.

“It’s a very close league and most sides in this division can beat anyone else, which is starting to show in the table.

“In this division, you can’t afford to take anyone lightly and you have no time at all to think about any game as being easy.”

A look at Stowmarket’s last fixture certainly proves Wiggins’ statement about anyone beaing able to beat anyone to be true.

The Suffolk club collected a surprise 19-15 success at Saffron Walden for a third away win of the term.

At home, things are slightly different for Stowmarket with just one win from four league matches.

But Wiggins knows that Wanstead will be in for a tough test this weekend, regardless of Stowmarket’s home form.

“Stowmarket got a good result in their last game, but even before that we knew it was going to be a hard game,” he added.

“That win against Saffron Walden for Stowmarket came away from home and their form is better away from home, but we won’t be reading much into it.

“We just have to get ourselves in the best possible shape to get up there, like we did when we went to Southwold.”

Wanstead will hope Saturday’s trip to Stowmarket sees them collect back-to-back wins after beating Ipswich 29-15 last time out.

It could be an important weekend in the league for the Herons.