Broadland's season got underway with a friendly fixture at home against Suffolk side Southwold. Following agreement from both sides, it was decided to use unlimited substitutions, in order to allow coaches to experiment with different combinations for the forthcoming season.

Broadland Captain Andy Riches started with a side closely resembling the Broadland's last league game back in April, the changes were Kyle Rogers and Lee Raven starting in the three quarters, the experienced Russell Clarke coming in at Scrum Half, and Richard Bristo and Adam Bensley joining the pack. Following the kick off Southwold capitalised on some sustained pressure inside the Broadland 22 meter line, good defensive work from Jay Prescott and Lee Durrant kept the visitors at bay, but eventually Southwold touched down to take the lead (unconverted) Broadland countered and Wing Lee Raven took the ball wide to score in the corner (unconverted). Broadland were solid in the scrum, and Beckett, Smith and Bristo were providing an excellent platform.

Both sides had a number of opportunities but it was twenty minutes until Broadland took the lead following a break from Rob Burling, having weaved his way to within inches of the goal line, he laid the ball back for Flanker Asa Morrison to gather and crash over for the score (converted Murray), Broadland's lead was extended shortly Following some good work from wing Matt Scott and Fly Half Simon Ruddick, Johnny Clay broke through stretching the Southwold defence and going forty yards for a spectacular score (converted Murray).

Southwold were soon back on the score sheet with an excellent piece of back play, for a converted try. At half half time Broadland led 19-12. Broadland were soon on the score sheet following some grafting in the forwards from Ross Taylor and Neil Blizzard, Number 8 Adam Bensley went over for a score in the club house corner (converted Burling) Southwold kept pace with a well worked try from their pack (unconverted).

Broadland soon struck with Thompson, Tucker and Pollard all working to create some space for Johnny Cla'ys second as he beat his opposite number to score in the corner (unconverted). A fantastic break from Chris Cantillion, put Broadland within scoring distance as the Broadland onslaught continued, Forwards Benham and Able worked the ball back and Centre Steve Street was on hand to nip in and score under the posts (converted Street). Southwold rallied and struck back with an unconverted try following some excellent running from their centres.

However it wasn't long before Broadland further extended their lead, a pick up by Bensley in the Scrum, created a Broadland Maul, this was moved deep inside Southwold territory, after steady progress, flanker Asa Morrison, broke from the Maul and dived over to score his second of the day in the corner (unconverted), Southwold had a number of forays in to the Broadland half but solid tackling notably from Grahame Thompson and Mark White prevented further Southwold scores. Broadland finished the scoring when Wing Glen Patterson broke through for Broadland's eighth try of the afternoon (unconverted).

Following a good all round performance Broadland's selection committee will face some tough choices for the 18 man squad to travel to Harwich and Dovercourt for the first league game of the season on 4th September. Broadland 1st XVs opening home game is on 11th September when they play host to Haverhill (k/o 3.00 pm) Due to the Bank Holiday weekend their will be no matches this Saturday. Training continues throughout the season at 7.00 pm on Wednesdays at Cobholm playing fields.

Tries: A. Morrison (2), J.Clay (2), L.Raven, A.Bensley, S.Street, G.Patterson Conversions: S. Murray 2 of 4, R.Burling 1 of 2, S.Street 1 of 2

Team: S.Murray, L.Raven, K.Rogers, S.Street, M.Scott, Simon Ruddick, R.Clarke, Matt Beckett, A.Smith, R.Bristo, A.Ritches (Capt.) L.Durrant, A.Morrison, J.Prescott, A.Bensley Replacements Used: R.Taylor, P.Abel, P.Tucker, J.Clay, C.Cantillion, N.Blizzard, J.Pollard, L.Thompson, G.Thompson, E.Benham, R.Burling, M.White, G.Patterson

Asa Morrison

- Fixtures -