Broadland made the short trip last Saturday to play Wymondham 2nd XV in a friendly.

This gave the opportunity for Coach Mark Frost and Captain Andy Riches to experiment with different combinations. There were five changes to the side that won the Norfolk Plate two weeks ago. In the backs, Paul Tucker was called in at Fly Half and Johnny Clay took up the left wing position. The three changes in the pack were Rye Bilyard moving in at Hooker, a return for Jim Grey at Second Row and a place in the starting line up for teenage prop Richard Bristo (Shrek).

Broadland kicked off and immediately put the home side under pressure: it was a matter of minutes before the Yarmouth side were in the lead. Scrum Half Burling picked up a loose ball at the base of the scrum and went around the blindside untouched to scamper 20 meters in for the score (unconverted).

Wymondham had little to offer in return and shortly after Broadland scored again this time Centre Ruddick set Scrum Half Burling away to score just to the right of the posts (converted Murray).

Broadland held firm during some testing runs from Wymondham and a number of Broadland players, notably Billyard and Mackintosh, made some good runs.

Broadland got their third, when Fullback Murray took off from the half way line following a quick penalty tap from Billyard and some sterling work from Prop Ross Taylor. Murray offloaded just short of the line for wing Johnny Clay to touch down in the corner (unconverted). Broadland led 17-0 at half-time.

Wymondham got on the score sheet early in the second half with a penalty in front of the posts. Wymondham They then kept the pressure on and were rewarded with a try down the right wing (converted).

Broadland felt the pressure as the home side began to claw themselves back into the game. Broadland made the first of its substitutions with Matt Scott coming onto the Wing and Lee Durrant joining the pack. Broadland’s’ fourth try was taken by Scrum half Burling who cleared up a loose Wymondham ball to score a hat trick on the day (converted Murray).

Broadland made two more substitutions with Neil Blizzard coming on at Prop and Russ Clarke stepping in at Scrum Half.. Fly Half Tucker created some good space for centres White and Ruddick to capitalise on but, despite Broadland pressure, the visitors could not get inside Wymondham's 22-meter line. It was Wymondham, who had the last score of the game despite solid tackling from Prescott and Morrison, when finally their Number 8 crashed over from a penalty (converted). It was not enough and Broadland came away with another win.

Next Saturday Broadland are at home and have the opportunity for promotion. One point from Norfolk rivals Swaffham will almost certainly result in Broadland moving up a league. Kick off is at 3.00 pm at Cobholm playing fields.

Scorers:
Tries: Burling 3, Clay
Conversions: Murray 2/4

Team: S.Murray, J.Clay, M. White, S.Ruddick, L.Raven, P. Tucker, R.Burling
R.Taylor, R.Billyard, R.Bristo, A.Riches (Capt.), J.Grey, A.Morrison, J.Prescott,
I.Mackintosh

Replacements: R.Bristo, R.Billyard, J.Grey, R.Clarke, J.Clay

Asa Morrison

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