TROUBLED Wisbech Rugby Club have suffered another blow after manager Cliff Humphreys decided to take a break from his role.

The relegation-threatened outfit have lost their last nine matches in London North-East Division Three and already face an uphill struggle to avoid the drop.

But they won’t have their boss to help them tomorrow when they travel to basement boys East London.

Humphreys said: “I was not at our game on Saturday (away to Canvey Island), nor will I be at East London this weekend. I am taking a bit of a step back from the club at the moment.

“Perhaps today is not the time, nor the place, to air my reasons. I think I may have simply become too stale and now need a new challenge.

“With East London already relegated it looks like the battle to stay up is between Wisbech, Canvey and Sudbury.

“Obviously we hope to get more than just a win on Saturday as a bonus point will do wonders for us.

“There are six games left in the season but only two at home against Sudbury and Cantabs (Cantabrigian). Both are must-win games.

“If we can then get something out of either Norwich, Beccles or Harlow away then I think we may survive. Given our away form though it appears to be a big ask.”

It’s likely that captain David Wadsley will lead Wisbech into their crucial clash with East London, who they annihilated 97-0 earlier this term.

But fortunes have changed rapidly since that rout and a 16-10 defeat to Canvey on Saturday has left them six points from safety. An Ali Comben try, two kicks from Mark Laws and a spirited performance were not enough to secure a much-needed win.