Broadland travelled away to play London 4 North East leaders Wymondham last Saturday. The Great Yarmouth side knew that the friendly fixture would be an uphill struggle with Wymondham playing their league rugby some two divisions higher than Broadland. However Broadland gave a good account of themselves in a respectable defeat which could easily gone either way in the last 10 minutes.

Last Saturdays fixture was the first of four friendly fixtures over the Christmas period providing Broadland Captain Andy Riches and Coach Mark Frost with an opportunity to experiment with alternative combinations in the mid season before a return to league rugby in the New Year.

There was a change at Fly Half with Paul Tucker joining the Backs and in the Forwards Rye Bilyard moved from Number 8 to Hooker, Khan Billyard started at tight head prop and Iain Mackintosh came at Number 8.

Broadland kicked off and again conceded an early converted try when the Wymondham centre cantered over for the score. Broadlands' game began to settle when the forwards created a strong platform from the scrum and ruck with Matt Beckett and Khan Billyard leading the way in the tight. Wymondham stretched their lead to twelve when their wing capitalised on an overlap to extend the home sides lead.

Wymondham began a steady onslaught of attacking play and both Broadland forwards Abel and Captain Riches were in the thick on some excellent defensive work. The game turned when Fullback Stuart Murray intercepted a Wymondham pass at the halfway line, and sprinted the distance to score (converted Murray). Halftime followed shortly after with Broadland trailing 12 - 7.

Wymondham extended their lead when their outside centre squeezed through the Broadland line for an unconverted try. Broadland responded almost immediately; Broadland Wing Matt Scott found himself in space, kicked over the Wymondham defensive line, chased and collected his own kick to touchdown for an inspirational individual try (unconverted)

The game was back in Broadlands' reach and Broadland Centres Durrant and White were making in-roads into the Wymondham half following some excellent distribution from Fly Half Paul Tucker. Wymondham were dominating the mauling play but Broadland certainly had the upper hand in the ruck, and Scrum Half Burling was utilising ever opportunity to gain ground.

Despite some good attacking play from the visitors, Wymondham again stretched the lead with their wing diving over for a score in the corner (unconverted). Broadland rose to the occasion and Raven, White and Murray all played a part in moving the ball to just inside the Wymondham 22 for a Broadland line out.

Rye Bilyard collected the ball from the line out and went across the pitch to spin the ball out to Number 8 Iain Mackintosh. Mackintosh broke two tackles to get down to within inches of the goal line, Forwards Prescott and Morrison hit the ruck at pace, securing the ball for Hooker Rye Billyard to pick up and dive over for the score (unconverted)

With less than ten minutes to go both sides encroached into each other's territory but it was Wymondham that secured the home win with an unconverted try from the Wing. Next Week Broadland visit Stowmarket in a friendly.

Tries: S.Murray, M.Scott, R.Bilyard

Conversions: Murray 1/2,Mackintosh 0/1

Team: S.Murray, L.Raven, M.White, L.Durrant M.Scott, P.Tucker, R.Burling, M.Beckett, A.Smith, R.Bristo, A.Riches (Capt.), A.Morrison, P.Abel, J.Prescott, I. Mackintosh

Replacements Used: M.Pywell (79 Mins)

Asa Morrison

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