AWAY day availability problems continued to haunt Wisbech Rugby Club on Saturday as they crashed to a 48-15 defeat to Sudbury.

Cliff Humphrey’s side cruised past the Suffolk outfit in a Senior Vase clash at fortress Harecroft Road last week - but it was a different story on Saturday.

Illness and unavailability left Wisbech with just 16 players and forced them to pair flanker Tom Martell and prop Charlie Roberts as stand-in centres.

Sudbury took advantage by racking up a 31-3 lead at half time, with Mark Laws’ penalty all the visitors could muster.

Wisbech restored some pride in the second half as Greg Brownlow, who returned from injury to impress in his first game of the season, crashed over.

Andy Heighton added a second try, which Laws converted, but Sudbury closed out a comfortable 48-15 win. The result leaves Wisbech sixth in London North-East Division Three.

Humphreys said: “You can’t fault the attitude and commitment of the 16 players who turned up to play rugby for Wisbech on Saturday.

“We are only an amateur club and play the game for enjoyment. I know that players do have other commitments but for some reason we do struggle to send teams away.

“My experience in the game tells me that there is no doubt that a fully committed Wisbech side are more than a match for any team in this league.”

Wisbech have been drawn away to Old Priorians in the third round of the Senior Vase on December 1. They host top of the table Beccles in the league on Saturday.