Wisbech were swept aside by Ely Tigers when the two Fenland sides locked horns in the London Division Three (Eastern Counties) on Saturday.

Wisbech Standard: Ely Tigers V Wisbech - Ryan Clark taken to ground - PHOTO: Steve WellsEly Tigers V Wisbech - Ryan Clark taken to ground - PHOTO: Steve Wells (Image: Archant)

Ely proved too hot for Wisbech to handle as they cruised to a 62-7 victory, as the town outfit failed to build on a character building 24-15 win over Crusaders in their previous outing.

Wisbech were forced to make several changes to the side that conquered Crusaders, but club Chairman Leonard Veenendaal admitted the side that slumped to a heavy defeat at the hands of their local rivals was “by no means a weak side”.

“Although missing several regulars, including talisman Solomon Prestidge and James Napier to mention two, on paper it was still a good side,” said Veenendaal; who admitted his side didn’t see such a heavy defeat coming.

“We didn’t see that coming.”

Wisbech Standard: Ely Tigers V Wisbech - Nathan Brookes gets stop by last gasp tackle by Wisbech - PHOTO: Steve WellsEly Tigers V Wisbech - Nathan Brookes gets stop by last gasp tackle by Wisbech - PHOTO: Steve Wells (Image: Archant)

“I know we have lost a few games in a row, but they were relatively tight games that we lost by a couple of points, so we never saw that coming.

“It shows what conceding a couple of early tries for the opposition can do to your confidence, individual tackling was good, but our lack in attack and defensive organisation was exposed and found wanting.

“It highlights the need for team, continuity, cohesion and commitment to training.”

Josh Anderson scored Wisbech’s only try of the game, which Jack Malkin converted from a testing angle.

Wisbech Standard: Ely Tigers V Wisbech - Matt McCarthy slips passed a Wisbech tackle - PHOTO: Steve WellsEly Tigers V Wisbech - Matt McCarthy slips passed a Wisbech tackle - PHOTO: Steve Wells (Image: Archant)

While Ely’s points came courtesy of a hat-trick from captain Joel Scott Paul, braces from Luke Cornwell and Matt McCarthy plus Tom Jackson, Paul Dewey and Stirling Fenton all touching down for one apiece.

18-year-old Henry Lankfer manged to pip his 17-year-old brother William to Wisbech’s Round Table Man-of-the Match award on a frustrating afternoon and Veenendaal is calling his side to bounce back when they return to action against league leaders Stowmarket on Saturday January 6th.

He said: “We have got enough good players at the club and people who care about the club enough to respond in the right way when we welcome Stowmarket to Wisbech in the New Year.”