GALLERY: Mud and thunder - Wisbech Rugby Club beaten by Beccles in soggy Christmas clash

WISBECH Rugby Club will enter 2013 embroiled in a relegation fight after a 26-0 defeat to Beccles in the mud.

Saturday’s festive fixture at Wisbech Grammar School proved to be anything but a Christmas cracker for Cliff Humphrey’s troops, who sit eighth in London North-East Division Three.

Beccles established a commanding lead in the re-arranged clash, which turned into a bad-tempered affair after the break.

Richard Cavill was given his marching orders for lashing out at an opponent five minutes into the second half while a Beccles player was also sin-binned with a yellow card.

Injuries to Robbie Brooks and Tom Martell further disrupted Wisbech’s shape and the visitors were able to extend their lead with another try in the closing stages.

Winger Shane Vickers said the awful weather conditions made it difficult for the hosts to play running rugby.

“It was unreal,” said Vickers. “There were five players on the pitch before the game sweeping water off it.

“It was up there with the worst conditions I’ve ever played in - it was a horrible game. We really didn’t get the bounce of the ball either.”

Wisbech host table-toppers South Woodham Ferrers on January 5.

Vickers said: “We just need a bit of consistency, for players to start committing and to pick our away form up.

“We’ll be fine in that league we just need to re-group. The first game after Christmas will be massive.”