Broadland recorded a thrilling home win with the last kick of the game to progress further in this year's Norfolk Plate.

Broadland's Selection committee brought in a number of changes with Carl Cantillion and Elliot Benham coming into the three quarter, Rob Burling Returned at Scrum Half. In the forwards it was a return to the starting line up for Ross Taylor and Rye Bilyard to the pack. Broadland kicked off and began to apply some early pressure through centre Elliot Benham and Simon Ruddick, Lakenham defended well and also had some early scoring opportunities. Richard Bristo and Jay Prescott both put in some excellent tackles, position moved between the two sides.

Broadland took a three point through the boot of Fullback Stuart Murray. The weather conditions suited a forwards game and both packs tried to force the ball tight, Broadland had a couple of decent mauls, but Lakenham were quick to counter attack. Leaving a vast amount of playing time being spent in the midfield. Broadland led three - nil at the end of the first half. Broadland made one change at Halftime with Matt Beckett joining the front row. Broadland settled into the groove, in the line outs Hooker Andy Smith was able to utilise Tim Fenn, Rye Bilyard and Asa Morrison to great effect.

The Broadland pack had also gained the upper hand in the Scrum with Ross Taylor and Matt Beckett providing the stability and Captain Andy Riches and Tim Fenn providing the power from Second Row. Broadland were attacking from deep and both wings Lee Raven and Carl Cantillion had promising runs into opposition territory.

Lakenham however managed to change the flow of play and an excellent example of a full pack maul brought the ball to Broadland's five, the following play saw Lakenham surge towards the line to score an unconverted try, To take a 5 -3 lead with less than ten minutes remaining. Broadland rallied, Scrum Half Rob Burling and Fly Half Russell Clarke involved all elements of Broadland play to get the ball just outside the Lakenham 22 meter line, with a penalty won, and minutes left Full Back Murray stepped up to clinch the lead, painfully the ball drifted fractionally to the right, to go wide.

Lakenham cleared their lines but Broadland were still in the game; however time was preciously short, and the referee signalled the next play would be the last. The ensuing Broadland lineout on the 22, was caught cleanly by Bilyard, the pack set and drove on, Burling spun the ball out to Murray , Who hit an attempt at a drop goal, the ball was blocked, Lakenham recovered, and Lakenham wree penalised for holding and Broadland were awarded one last chance. Fullback Murray stepped up and struck a near perfect kick through the uprights to give Broadland the win by the narrowest of margins.

Next week Broadland are back in league action as they play host to Sawston, kick off at 2.15 pm at Cobholm playing fields.

Penalties: S.Murray 2 of 3 Drop Goals: S.Murray 0 of 1

1st XV Team: S.Murray, C.Cantillion, E.Benham, S.Ruddick, L.Raven R.Clarke, Rob Burling R.Taylor, A. Smith, R.Bristo, A. Riches, (Capt.), T.Fenn, J.Prescott, A. Morrison, R.Bilyard Replacements M.Beckett (40 mins)

Asa Morrison

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