Some good competitive performances against quality sides was tarnished by unavailability and injury troubles as Wisbech difficult start to 2024 continued on Saturday afternoon when they were beaten 39-7 by their last season’s closes league rivals North Walsham.

Wisbech had got off to a good start controlling field position and possession.

Walsham showed good composure and clinical defence to get themselves back into the game when after 10 minutes they registered their first points of the afternoon and then went on to rack up two further tries.

The first half ended 19-0 to Walsham.

Walsham started the second half strong, scoring a try within three minutes. Wisbech’s trademark togetherness and spirit saw Gerhard Wessels score a try converted by Wisbech man of the match Jack Malkin and the Men in Red side looked to fight their way back into the game.

However, Wisbech’s injury and unavailability woes came back to haunt them when MJ Wright was forced to leave the field, full back Isaac Tunikula was forced to come into the back row.

With the Men in Red reverting to a make shift backrow and lineout, the Walsham raiders showed their ruthless streak. Scoring two further converted tries, the hosts established a commanding lead which ultimately led to victory.

The game ended 39-7 and left Wisbech in search of their first league win.

The result was an example of what happens if you don't execute the basics.

We dominated scrums and we could even manage our lineout woes but Walsham gave the lads a lesson in what happens when you have one out runners, not effectively competing at the breakdown, poor first up tackles and a lack of patience unable to string fazes together.

Wisbech’s next fixture in the league is a crunch tie with historic rivals Ely on Saturday, KO 2pm.