After starting the season with wins in two of their first three games, the Dauphin Mavericks have struggled to hit the win column.

The latest setback came, Saturday in Winnipeg, where the local men’s rugby team dropped a 38-24 decision to the Wombats.

Nick Searle had two tries and two converts for Dauphin, while Austin Rivard and Brayden Tomchuk had one try each.

The Mavericks went into the game with the minimum of 15 players, but picked up a few players from the Eastman Warriors.

“And we actually lost three of our regulars in the first half to injuries, so it was just a battle of attrition,” said Mavericks player-coach Shawn Sarkonak.

“It was a good, hard fought battle, for sure. We did some really good things. They just took advantage of the lesser bodies.”

Injuries have been a problem of late, along with the unavailability of some players. But despite that, Sarkonak said they are hoping to finish the season strong when they return to Winnipeg, Saturday, to face the Wanderers at 3 p.m.

“And have a hard-fought game. We’re really pushing for guys to make it and then go into playoffs,” he added.

“We want to come away with the W, just to have some momentum going into playoffs.”

Dauphin currently sit sin fifth place with two wins, a draw and six losses. The Mavericks have 16 points, including six bonus points and trail the fourth-place Wombats by three points.