An emphatic win the week before for Wisbech was tarnished and undone by injury troubles and unavailability that led to a difficult 63-24 loss away to Wymondham on Saturday, writes Leonard Veenendaal.

The score did not reflect the match, traveling with only 14 men, the Men in Red showed grit and determination to push the league champions right to the end.

Despite scoring four tries and putting the champions on the back foot for large periods of the game, the one man less disadvantage was always going to be too big an ask against a quality side such as Wymondham.

Wisbech had established early dominance putting the host under pressure but were unable to capitalise on it.

It took 13 minutes for the first score, when Wymondham rounded off a strong attacking move for the home side to take a 7-0 lead.

Minutes later, Wymondham scored another try as Wisbech now under pressure where coming to terms with playing with a man down.

Wisbech responded positively, a trademark of this side all season, and after a series of carries, they were awarded a try through Alfie Anderson with Albi Malkin adding the conversion, the score now 14-7 to the host.

The Wymondham numerical advantage started to dominate, sealing their bonus-point ahead of half time and giving the host a comfortable 34-7 lead going into the half time break.

Wymondham started the second half strong, scoring two quick converted tries within five minutes.

But the Men in Reds’ spirits were not dampened as their makeshift pack a man down went toe to toe with the host which saw second row MJ Wright scoring the first of his two tries.

But with Wisbech a man down, it started to take its toll as Wymondham capitalised clinically building their lead.

On the 50th minute, Lawson Humphreys (who had left work to answer the team's SOS) joined the match giving Wisbech a full complement of 15 on the pitch. The additional man proved a welcome injection as the Men in Red showed tremendous spirit and determination which saw them battle until the end.

MJ Wright who was having a fine game scoring his second try epitomised this, as the Wisbech scored a third try. 

Wymondham would score again but Wisbech gave it to the last, Freddie Napier finishing a fantastic backs attack to score in the dying embers of the game and against all odds earning Wisbech a four try bonus-point, the match ending 63-24.

Prop Kerrie McMullet, the Duke Prestidge, Ari Bagh-moany along with Lourde Lankfer where solid upfront, in the backs Kai Wessels with Jig Mackster deserve a mention but the man of the match award rightly went to the whole team for a fantastic brave and refuse to surrender performance.

Wisbech director of Rugby commented after the match: "All credit to Wymondham, their clinical accuracy showed why they are league champions and we wish them all the best with their league promotion next season.  

“A couple of our players running on to the pitch today carrying injury and starting with only 14 on the pitch, the commitment and determination on display was a true reflection of what Wisbech Rugby is about and arguably the best back to the wall, gutsy and brave performance from a Wisbech team I can remember, and for that they deservedly can take a bow. 

"It has been a frustrating season for us with unfortunate injuries but more so the unavailability, in particular with the away games has cost us dearly and it is just not good enough”, he said.

“As a club, we are better than this and set ourselves high standards, which we are not achieving at this stage, the players must take responsibility and something we have to address together.

“We acknowledge the disappointment amongst our supporters as we are hurting just as much as everyone else who loves this club.

“Thank you to our supporters and sponsors for sticking with us during these difficult times and season, in particular those special ones who make the away journeys to cheer us on .

"Rest assured there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes to ensure our continued success and we look forward to next season in particular to our two closes local derbies”

Next up, Wisbech welcome Regional 2 East Midlands side Peterborough Lions to Harecroft road for a RFU cup match, KO 2.30pm.