Wisbech head coach Leonard Veenendaal has admitted that a lack of attendance at training has hampered his side’s progress this season.

Veenendaal’s men were handed a final-day defeat by rivals Wymondham last Saturday – a loss that cost Wisbech a fifth-place finish and a seventh straight win in the Eastern Counties Division One.

“It has been a difficult season,” Veenendaal said.

“We have an excellent squad, who on their day are a match for any other team on our level but players not attending training on a regular basis has been our Achilles heel.”

Wisbech fell behind early on last Saturday courtesy of two penalties and the hosts asserted their dominance even further with two converted tries before half time.

Nathan Goodale reduced the deficit just before the break and Wisbech added another try just after the restart thanks to Harry Newman.

However, the game was turned on its head when talismanic captain Solly Prestidge was sin-binned, which Wymondham took full advantage of to run in three more tries.

Wisbech added another try in the dying minutes but it was too little, too late.