A win in the top of the table clash last Saturday would have put Broadland comfortably at the top of Eastern Counties Two, However despite a good all round performance the Great Yarmouth side endured their first league defeat of the Season.

Broadland made two changes to the previous weeks league win over Norwich Union with Matt Scott returning from injury to start on the left wing, and Steve Browne joining the pack in the pivotal position of tight-head prop,

In weather perhaps more comparable to mid summer rather than mid October Broadland kicked off. Crusaders had a considerable weight advantage in the pack but Broadland certainly had the tenacity with good possession secured.

Broadland took an early lead via a neatly struck penalty from full back Stuart Murray. Both sides were holding their own and Broadland wings Raven and Scott had good runs but without reward.

The visitors took the lead after some sustained pressure in the Broadland 22 with the centre crashing over (converted)

Broadland regrouped and Number 8 Elliot Benham and Scrum Half Rob Burling co-ordinated the base of the scrum and the pack made excellent in-roads into the Crusaders half.

Despite some excellent tight and solid scrimmaging - notably from the Broadland front three of Taylor, Smith and Browne - Broadland failed to capitalise on hard earnt opportunities and entered the half down by four points.

Broadland's game plan was disrupted when Hooker Andy Smith was sin-binned for obstruction. Crusaders began to exploit the one-man advantage and eventually scored to increase the lead (unconverted).

Broadland Captain Andy Ritches was forced to make some early changes with Mackintosh and Pywell both joining the pack following injuries to Gray and Browne. Broadland were soon back to a full fifteen on the pitch and the Broadland three quarters, Mark White and Mark La-Cock, made good yards in the Centres; again Broadland came away empty handed.

It was Crusaders who scored next and stretched the lead with some excellent tight play. Broadland made their last substitution of the day, with Danny Hale coming onto the left wing.

Broadland had the last score of the game when Scrum Half Burling set a quick ruck on the left, deep inside the Crusader 22. This was followed by a quick ruck which took the ball just short of the Crusaders goal-line: Morrison and Ritches cleared over. Burling deceptively changed the flow of play and sent the ball blind to Flanker Jay Prescott. Prescott then drove through for the score (unconverted) with less than a couple of minutes remaining.

Broadland tried to open the game up and Wing Danny Hale and Full Back Stuart Murray had some positive attacking play from deep in Broadlands half. However the score remained unchanged and Broadland suffered a respectable loss to the league leaders.

Next week Broadland have a break from league rugby when they travel to play the University of East Anglia in a friendly.

Tries: J.Prescott

Conversions: S. Murray 0 of 1 Attempts

Penalties: S.Murray 1 of 1 Attempt

Team: S.Murray, L.Raven, M.White, M.La-Cock, M.Scott, S. Ruddick, R.Burling, R.Taylor, A.Smith, S.Browne, A.Riches (Capt.), J.Gray, A.Morrison, J.Prescott. E.Benham

Replacements Used: D.Hale, I.Mackintosh, K.Pywell

Asa Morrison

- Fixtures -