Wisbech head coach Leonard Veenendaal admitted he was pleased to see his side respond to a tactical shake-up by storming the victory over Crusaders last weekend.

Wisbech Standard: Action from Wisbech's 33-22 success over Crusaders.Action from Wisbech's 33-22 success over Crusaders. (Image: Archant)

Veenendaal issued a pre-Christmas warning to his players that he would not be afraid to make changes to his starting line-up, and that was certainly the case in Norwich last weekend as he brought in four new players for their first fixture of 2017.

And that decision paid dividends as tries from Jack Malkin, James Napier, Sam Anderson, Rory Willis and a double from Jon Turner fired them to an impressive 36-22 success.

“My hand was forced to make the changes and it proved to be the right thing to do,” Veenendaal said.

Wisbech Standard: Action from Wisbech's 33-22 success over Crusaders.Action from Wisbech's 33-22 success over Crusaders. (Image: Archant)

“The win was a clear indictment of how we have been underperforming and the players who were not involved have to put their hands up and acknowledge this and rise to the standard that the bar has been raised to.”

Next up for Wisbech is the visit of Eastern Counties Division One leaders, Haverhill (2pm).

The Suffolk side have only experienced defeat once this season, but Veenendaal says his side can pose a threat to their impressive record – if they maintain full focus.

Wisbech Standard: Action from Wisbech's 33-22 success over Crusaders.Action from Wisbech's 33-22 success over Crusaders. (Image: Archant)

“If we can raise our game and cut out a few mistakes like the ones we made against Crusaders then I think Thetford will find us more than a challenge,” he said.