In a gentle wind down to the season Broadland played host to Midlands touring side Keresley. Broadland fielded a mixed side and it was an opportunity to involve some of the clubs younger players at a higher level.

Broadland kicked off, and it was soon apparent that Keresley were very strong in the scrum and maul and Broadland struggled to hold the visitors’ tight play early in the game. The match-up in the backs however was much more in Broadlands favour and Broadland found space outside almost at will.

Lee Raven made some good ground down the right wing and Centres Simon Ruddick and Mickey Pywell made some key moves in the middle of the park to allow Broadland to penetrate into Keresley s’ half. Captain Riches carried the ball down to just outside the visitors’ 5-meter line. Scrum Half Rob Burling collected and spun the ball out wide to Flanker Asa Morrison who stepped inside the Keresley Winger to score Broadlands’ first points of the day (converted Murray).

Keresley came back hard at the kick off and drove deep into Broadlands’ half. Sustained pressure from the Midlands side was finally rewarded when one of their props crashed over from short range (unconverted). Broadland were back on the score sheet: this time it was Wing Jay Pollard that collected a short pass inside the Broadland half to go the remaining distance and score under the posts (unconverted).

Pollard was on the score sheet again minutes later when hard work from forwards Rye Bilyard, Andy Smith and Jimmy Grey created an opportunity for Pollard to dive over in the corner to stretch Broadlands’ lead (converted Pollard). Broadland finished the half 17-5 up.

Broadland made a number of changes just after the half with Veterans Tim Panter and Kevan Pywell joining the back row, Cliff Prime coming on at prop and Matt Scott taking up position on the wing.

Wing Pollard scored his hat trick on the day with a well worked move (converted Pollard) and Full Back Stuart Murray got on the score sheet with one of his typical scores following some exceptional support play from Jay Prescott and Ross Taylor (unconverted). Keresley were certainly not in a frame of mind to concede defeat and pulled back a well-deserved score. (converted).

Broadland made some further changes with teenagers Todd coming on at lock, Hedley coming on at Wing and Veteran David Beagrie taking up the full back position.

The final score of the day came as Paul Tucker and Mickey Pywell created a half break in midfield to off-load to Simon Ruddick who weaved across the park to score in the club house corner (unconverted)

Next week Broadland travel away to play Lowestoft and Yarmouth for an end of season friendly. Kick Off is at 3.00 pm

Scorers: Tries: Pollard 3, Ruddick, Murray, Morrison
Conversions: Murray 1/4 Pollard 1/2

Team: S.Murray, L. Raven, S.Ruddick, M.Pywell, J.Pollard, P.Tucker, R.Burling, R.Taylor, A.Smith, M.Beef, A.Riches (Capt.), J.Grey, A.Morrison, J.Prescott, R.Billyard
Replacements: C.Prime, A.Todd, K.Pywell, T.Panter, D.Headley, M.Scott, D.Beagrie

Asa Morrison

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