Humphreys criticises senior players after Wisbech Rugby Club go down at home to Wanstead

Boss Cliff Humphreys questioned the commitment of some of his senior players after Wisbech began 2014 with a disappointing 25-8 loss to Wanstead at Harecroft Road on Saturday.

Wisbech went into the game knowing a win would see them leapfrog over the visitors into the top half of SSE London Three NE.

But the defeat sees them slip to eighth out of 12 teams, just two points ahead of 10th place Old Brentwoods, having played a game more.

The heavy rain on Saturday morning made conditions difficult and prevented free-flowing rugby.

Wanstead adapted the better of the two sides and surged into a 10-0 lead but Wisbech rallied and from a backs move Sam Anderson went over to reduce the arrears at halftime to 10-5.

Andy Claydon kicked the hosts only points of the second half, while the visitors ran in two more tries to secure a comfortable win.

Humphreys said: “I was very disappointed with the lack of commitment by some of the senior squad players who feel that they do not need to attend training and can just turn up to play the game.

“Rugby is a tactical team game and you need to establish a game plan prior to any game. This can only be done with a full attendance of the squad at training prior to any match.

“In the past two games against Cantabrigian prior to Christmas and against Wanstead we were beaten by sides who clearly worked to their game plan.

“It is very frustrating as when we did have a full squad training session prior to the match against Sudbury we played as a unit and secured a great victory.

“The senior players wanted the club to provide a full time coach who was committed to training and to watch every game and to work with them to improve the standard of rugby at the club.

“The club obliged - Leonard Veenendaal is a top coach and the players need to respond to him.”

Wisbech will look to bring their recent disappointing run to an end when they travel to mid-table Upminster on Saturday.