Broadland played host to local Suffolk rivals Lowestoft and Yarmouth in a late change to the scheduled fixture. With L&Y currently placed at the bottom of Eastern Counties One and Broadland in the top half of Eastern Counties Two the match was always going to be a close call.

It was a return to the Broadland first team line up for Centre Mark White and Flanker Paul Abe, and three positional changes with Prop forwards Ross Taylor and Matt Beckett swapping sides and Asa Morrison moving across from flanker to Number 8.

In heavy rain and a strong cross wind Broadland kicked off. Immediately L&Y gained good field position and drifted the ball wide, a breakdown in communication gave the visitors a break which they seized and scored (converted). Broadland kicked off and again L&Y put in a good return; a kick to touch gave Broadland the lineout. With the ball won the home side pack went to secure the ball only to see the ball pop out. A short attack saw L&Y put their second score under the posts in as many minutes (converted).

Broadland were 14 -0 down and had almost failed to gain possession. Broadlands tackles were finally made to count on the third kick off and this time tackles from Prescott and Taylor halted the L&Y attack early. Both sides began to drive at each other with Riches and Beckett having some solid carries in the midfield. The line out was proving difficult for both sides in the cross wind but Broadland Hooker Andy Smith was still connecting with jumpers Abel and Morrison.

Broadland got close to the L&Y line when a crafty chip through from Fly Half Jones-Rogers was unlucky not to yield any points for Broadland, The half time came with Broadland deep inside the visitors 22-meter line.

The second half kicked off and steady pressure from Broadland and some good runs in the middle from Raven and White took Broadland in close with a penalty awarded inside the L&Y 5-meter line. Riches was on hand to receive a quick tap and the Broadland ruck was set about a meter short of the line. Scrum Half Burling feigned a short pass and turn and dived over the line for Broadlands' opening score (converted Murray).

Broadland were beginning to put some good attacking plays together with Wing Scott and Full Back Murray having some good runs and the Broadland Front three of Taylor, Smith and Beckett providing an excellent platform.

Broadlands' second try began just outside their 22-meter line. Following a Broadland scrum, Scrum Half Burling picked up and took-off up the short side, a short pass to wing Johnny Clay gave him the opportunity to cover the remaining 60 meters untouched to score (unconverted).

Broadland made their first substitution with Iain Mackintosh joining the centres following an injury to Mark White. Mackintosh was immediately involved with some hard running in the centre complemented with some solid driving play from Jim Grey and Paul Abel.

Following some excellent defensive play from L&Y Broadland found themselves pinned back inside their own 5 meter line and a poor clearance allowed L&Y to capitalise and score in the corner (unconverted).

Broadland made their final substitution following an injury to flanker Abel: Richard Bristo came on at tight-head with versatile Beckett moving back to flanker. Broadland managed to string together a final attacking flurry following a good line out throw: the ball was spun wide to Mackintosh who hurtled inside the L&Y 22-meter line. With the ball secured, Burling passed back, Jones-Rogers then kicked across field in a set play. Broadland Backs Raven and Clay could only watch as the ball just failed to stay in play and roll in touch just inside the L&Y 5-meter line. The referee checked his watch and blew his whistle to give the visitors a seven point victory in what had certainly been an entertaining match for both players and the large contingent of spectators who had braved the elements.

Next Week Broadland are back in league action as they play host to Norwich Union, kick off is at 2.15 pm at Cobholm playing fields.

Tries : R.Burling, J.Clay

Conversions: S.Murray 1/2

Team: S.Murray, J.Clay, L.Raven, M.White, M.Scott, J.Jones-Rogers, R.Burling,, R.Taylor, A. Smith, M.Beckett , A.Riches (Capt.),J.Grey, P.Abel, J.Prescott., A.Morrison

Replacements Used: I.Mackintosh (57Mins), R.Bristo (73 Mins)

Asa Morrison

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