Broadland visited Eastern counties two rivals Haverhill in a league match, both sides have been finding wins elusive in recent weeks, and with both sides evenly matched on the day it really could have gone either way.

There were two changes in the backs; it was a welcome return to Fullback Stuart Murray who had missed virtually all of November through injury and Flying wing Lee Raven made a return to the starting line up. In the forwards, Jim Gray came in at second row, and Rye Bilyard started at Number 8.

Broadland kicked off, both sets of forwards immediately began the battle for supremacy in the tight and both sides were fortunate not to have a player sin binned following a scuffle which saw both packs involved. The referee asserted his authority and the game began to settle. Haverhill were first on the score sheet when their centre edged through from close range (converted).

Broadland were unlucky not to pick up more points when Fullback Murray was painfully close to two penalties awarded within five minute of each other. However, Broadland did not have to wait long for their opening score, with a lineout awarded inside the Broadland 22. Flanker Paul Abel made a clean catch in the line out, Beckett and Bristo cleared over and set up a maul, Morrison and Smith stepped in and rolled the maul round the outside and over the Haverhill winger for Hooker Andy Smith to touchdown in the Corner (unconverted)

Haverhill then took the opportunity to extend their lead with a well taken penalty. With time beginning to wind down on the half Broadland began to work towards the Haverhill line, Captain Riches made some good ground in the middle and with Centres Durrant and White also moving the ball well.

Broadland were closing on the Haverhill line and were awarded a penalty 10 meters from the Haverhill goal line. The referee indicated that this would be the final play of the half. Broadland Captain Andy Riches made the bold decision of going for the try rather than an easy penalty. Scrum Half Burling stepped up and tapped the ball, he feigned a pass to Number 8 Bilyard, then spun a long pass to Flanker Asa Morrison on the Wing, Morrison collected the ball at pace side-stepped a Haverhill defender to dive over for the score, Full Back Murray added the conversion, Broadland finished the half leading by 12 -10.

Broadland made one change at half time with Ross Taylor coming on at Loose head prop. Both sides began the half with a more expansive game plan Broadland. Wings Matt Scott and Lee Raven had some good runs in the loose and Broadland kept probing deep into the Haverhill half. Rye Bilyard and Jim Grey were both in excellent form gaining some tough yards in the Forwards. Unfortunately Broadlands efforts went without reward. Broadland made their final substitution with Prop Khan Bilyard returning to first team duty following almost 18 months out with a shoulder injury.

Haverhill began to mount a sustained assault on the Broadland defence and the Yarmouth side held firm for a number of minutes, finally the Haverhill wing broke through the Broadland Centres to score a converted try. Broadland pushed Haverhill hard but, to no avail and Haverhill won a tight fought contest.

Tries: A.Smith, A.Morrison

Conversions: Murray 1 of 2

Penalties: Murray 0 0f 2

Team: S.Murray, L.Raven, M.White, L.Durrant M.Scott, R.Clarke, R.Burling, M.Beckett, A.Smith, R.Bristo, A.Riches (capt), J.Grey, A.Morrison, P.Abel, R.Billyard

Replacements Used: R.Taylor (40 min) K.Billyard (57 Mins)

Asa Morrison

- Fixtures -