Broadland's season got underway with a visit to Cambridgeshire side March in the first round of the Powergen National Junior Cup. Broadland were certainly favourites to win having beaten March comfortably towards the end of last season.

Broadland began with some close play in the forwards and it was apparent after some dynamic work from the Broadland front three of Beckett, Smith and Bristo that the Yarmouth side would have the upperhand in the scrum.

Broadland moved the ball steadily towards the line and it was wing Glen Pattersen who opened the scoring as he cantered around the March defence to touchdown in the corner (converted Murray). March had no time to recover, when scrum half Burling burst through to score under the posts (converted Murray). March were beginning to find some continuity in their play and it was some excellent defensive play by captain Riches and second row partner Jim Gray preventing a breakaway in the middle.

Broadland were again on the score sheet with a text book switch between Simon Ruddick and Mark White, which left the March defence line in tatters and allowed White to go 40 yards for Broadland's third score (converted Murray).

March almost got on the score sheet when a penalty struck the upright and bounced back up in the field, only quick thinking from flanker Stuart Ruddick prevented March from capitalising on the loose ball, as he moved the ball out of Broadland's 22.

Broadland were soon on the attack again. This time some hard graft from Bristo and LaCock in the midfield allowed fly half Ruddick to break free; wing Matt Scott was on hand to collect the long pass and sprint down the wing to score in the corner (unconverted). The half time followed shortly after, with Broadland leading a comfortable 26-0

The second half began with some hard work from the March forwards. Beckett and Abel put in devastating tackles and the ensuing turnover created a Broadland breakaway which saw Paterson and LaCock create an overlap for full back Stuart Murray to run on and score in the corner (converted Murray).

March rallied hard and again the Broadland pack soaked up the pressure. It was stand off Ruddick who again made the break down the left wing, Matt Scott was on hand to carry on and was forced to offload in the tackle to Burling. The Broadland scrum half then put in a long pass to Number 8 Asa Morrison, who collected the ball at the 22 meter line and covered the remaining distance to touchdown under the posts (converted Murray).

Broadland then made a number of substitutions with Russell Clarke coming on at Scrum Half, Gavin Thompson and Barry Trett coming onto the Wings and Terry Bristo replacing his son Richard at tight head prop.

In the last ten minutes of the game March managed to score twice, but the game was well beyond the reach of the home side and Broadland now advance to the second round.

Next week Broadland play host to Haverhill in Broadlands first league game of the season. Kick off is at 3.00pm at Cobholm Playing Fields.

Tries: G.Patterson, R.Burling, M.White, M.Scott, S.Murray, A.Morrison

Conversions: S. Murray (5 of 6)

Team: S.Murray, G. Patterson, M.White, M.La-Cock, M.Scott, Simon Ruddick, Rob Burling, Matt Beckett, A.Smith, R.Bristo, A.Ritches (Capt.) J.Grey, Stuart Ruddick, P.Abel, A. Morrison

Replacements Used: R.Clarke, G.Thompson, B.Trett, T. Bristo

Man of the Match: Matt Scott

Asa Morrison

- Fixtures -