Wanstead were unable to complete a brave second-half fight back as they lost 19-10 to Cantabrigian in the London Three North East division on Saturday.

It was apparent from the outset that Wanstead would struggle with what was a makeshift front row as Robby Dale was ruled out with injury and Lee Amman had to fill in at hooker.

Cantabs made all of the early running but the Wanstead defence was strong, with ferocious tackling from Alan Geary and Chris Jones stopping ball carriers dead in their tracks.

The Herons’ rearguard action struck a blow however when Amman went off with a neck injury so the injured Dale was forced to come on.

Towards the end of the half, Wanstead were undone when a quick tapped penalty caught the defence cold and their opponents scored a converted try to make it 7-0 at the interval.

Wanstead improved in the second half but were unable to prevent a penalty try being awarded to give Cantabs a 14-0 advantage.

Dale was unable to continue and his departure from the match meant the referee ordered uncontested scrums, while Wanstead saw the remainder of the half out with only 14 men.

The numerical advantage paid dividends as an overlap allowed the Cantabs winger to go over in the corner to extend the lead to 19-0.

Wanstead refused to lie down though, and Anthony Fedele scored a well-deserved try, brushing aside some poor tackling to touch down under the posts.

And it was Fedele again who came up trumps soon after as he tore past a handful of flailing defenders to add another try and reduce the deficit to 19-10.

Wanstead pressed on amid some heated final exchanges but it wasn’t to be and Cantabs held out for the win.

The Herons entertain a resurgent Harlow this weekend, who will be looking to avenge the home defeat inflicted on them earlier in the season.

It was a better afternoon for Wanstead’s Under-16s who registered a 12-5 win over local rivals Eton Manor.

Manor had their opponents pinned in their 22 for the first part of the game but it was the Herons who opened the scoring when winger James Quigg raced away to score in the corner.

Manor were soon on the scoresheet as a well-taken chip saw a score in the corner. But Wanstead seized the initiative in the second period and Harrison Brough crashed over for the winning try.