Broadland strengthened their position at the top of Eastern Counties Three with a convincing win over Cambridge side March. Broadland had already beaten March back in October, It had been a very close game and Broadland were expecting a similar battle. Before Saturday Broadland had not had a fixture, since Christmas. The Norfolk plate final was scheduled for last Sunday, but did not take place due to a frozen pitch (replay will be towards the end of the season).

Broadland started as they meant to go on within two minutes of the kick off, full back Murray went over for a score (converted Murray). This was followed by some good work from wing Raven which culminated with Scrum-half Burling going blind-side to score Broadland's second try (unconverted).

March could gain little territory, and the situation was made worse when two of their players left the pitch for a short time for injury treatment, leaving the visitors with 13 players. Broadland capitalised immediately and, following some good work from Gray and Prescott in the tight, Number 8 Ian Mackintosh crashed over (converted Murray). Broadland could do little wrong and another break saw Hooker Benham touchdown (converted Murray).

March were back to full strength but it wasn't long before Broadland were on the attack again: a deep kick was collected by Murray for his second score of the day (converted Murray). Scrum-half Burling added his second try just before halftime with a side-step and short run (unconverted). This left the half time score, 38-0.

March kicked off the second half and Broadland again surged forward. Some good work from centres Patterson and White put Broadland deep into March territory. Benham finished off the move with his second try of the day (unconverted).

March were never given the opportunity to organise their defences and a break from Murray down the wing gave flanker Jason Prescott the opportunity to put Pollard in for the score (unconverted). Some strong running in the middle from Glen Patterson created an opportunity, seized by Mark White who stepped inside the March defensive line to score under the posts (Unconverted)

Broadlands scrum and lineout were both working well, and hard workfc from props Taylor and Browne and locks Riches and Gray were ensuring that good ball was finding its way to the backs.

It was Benham who was on the score sheet for a third try as he crashed over from short range in the clubhouse corner (converted Murray). Broadland made a couple of changes with Bristo, Abel and La-Cock all coming on with fresh legs. March had nothing in response and Pollard went over for his second of the day (unconverted). March never gave up but Broadland's attacking play was relentless; a well engineered play from Simon Ruddick, gave centre La-Cock some running space in the middle, a quick pass gave flanker Asa Morrison the opportunity to nip through the March line to score under the posts (converted Burling). Fullback Murray added the final points of the game with a neatly taken 30-yard drop-goal.

The whistle sounded before the restart and Broadland recorded their most convincing league win in recent years. Broadland are now four points clear at the top of Eastern Counties Three, with an excellent points difference due to last Saturdays twelve try performance.

Broadland 1st XV are away to Diss Second XV next week in a friendly and Broadland 2nd XV travel to play Watton 1st XV

Team: S.Murray, J.Pollard, M. White, G.Patterson, L.Raven, S.Ruddick, R.Burling, R.Taylor, E.Benham, S.Brown, A.Riches (Capt.), J.Gray, A.Morrison, J.Prescott, I.Mackintosh. Replacements M.La-Cock, R.Bristo, P.Abel.

Asa Morrison

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