XIAO BLE SPI slow?

Replaced a XIAO with a XIAO BLE in a circuit with a SPI TFT (ST7789). Running identical code results in a much lower frame-rate (goal is a multi-user game using BT). Tried to alter the SPI.beginTransaction setting (or leave it out altogether) to no avail.
CS / DC are on digital pins 2 and 3. The TFT routines are derived from David Johnson-Davies (“Technoblogy”).
Any hints ? Thank you i advance – Thomas