Broadland got the New Year off to a flying start with their third consecutive away win. Having beaten Stowmarket 2nd XV and Thurston during the holiday season, Broadland added another victory over a well drilled Thetford second XV.

The Broadland selection committee had utilised Broadlands mid-season run of friendlys as an opportunity to experiment with different combinations on the pitch. Last Saturday was no exception and Broadland had four positional variations: in the Backs, Lee Durrant returned to Full Back, Jago Jones-Rogers switched to Fly Half and Lee Raven moved inside to Centre; in the forwards Matt Beckett took a step across the front row to Hooker. There were also returns to the side for Scrum Half Burling, Centre LaCock, as well as Forwards Prescott, Bilyard and Bristo all joining the pack.

Broadland kicked off with the temperature just hovering above freezing and a pitch which was only just able to take stud during the frost which had failed to thaw. The visitors got an early lead through two early penalties from the boot of Jones-Rogers. Thetford responded with a penalty of their own to take the score to 6- 3 to the Yarmouth side in the first 20 minutes.

The play was relatively balanced and both teams were testing each others defence and the Broadland back row of Abel, Prescott and Bilyard were able to close down the Thetford big runners in the middle. Broadland Centres Raven and LaCock had a good break that saw wing Clay get within 10 meters but Broadland failed to capitalise. The half concluded with neither team gaining any real territory and no further score.

Thetford kicked off and piled the pressure on the Broadland line. It was a turn over inside the Broadland 22-meter line which led to the first try of the day. With position secured veteran Scrum Half Burling seized a half chance to pick and run. Thetford had over committed and Burling weaved his way to the sideline, over the halfway line to score a Brilliant 60 yard individual effort (unconverted). Thetford struck back and sustained pressure placed them inside Broadland's five meter line; a quick pick up from the back of the scrum saw the Thetford Number 8 power over for Thetford's first try (converted)

Thetford's score had put the home side to within one point of Broadland and both sides were attempting to get within kicking distance to secure the win. Broadland forwards Beckett and Taylor were providing a steady flow of ball from pick and drive play and Captain Riches called on the only change of the game with Grey coming on at second row.

The last ten minutes were a shining example of solid defensive work from Broadland with Bristo, Durrant and Scott all making excellent tackles. Thetford occasionally drifted into drop-goal range but pressure from Prescott, Morrison and Raven gave the Thetford Fly Half no opportunity to attempt them. Broadland dug in and held on to another away win.

Next week Broadland return to league action when they travel away to play Essex Side Harwich and Dovercourt.

Tries: : R.Burling

Conversions : Jones-Rogers 0/1

Penalties : J.Jones-Rogers 2/2

Team: L.Durrant, J.Clay, L.Raven, M.La-Cock M.Scott, J.Jones-Rogers, R.Burling,, R.Taylor M.Beckett, R.Bristo, A.Riches (Capt.), A.Morrison, P.Abel, J.Prescott, R.Bilyard

Replacements Used: J.Grey (61 Mins)

Asa Morrison

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