Once again Broadland travelled away to be greeted by another muddy pitch covered in puddles.

Quickly Beccles took the advantage when they exploited the stretched Broadland line and broke through for a try under the posts (converted.) Before Broadland could react Beccles were over again after poor tackling (unconverted.)

Broadland were slowly starting to play rugby when Beccles had a lineout down in the Broadland twenty-two and they scored a try which looked to be a double movement but the referee gave it (unconverted.).

This really got Broadland fired up to fight back at Beccles. The ball was spread to the wing and Sam Adcock made a fantastic run breaking through several tackles. The Broadland forwards were supporting the backs and following up their breaks with pick and drive.

After about 15 mins this lead to a try when second row Leighton Buckley powered over for a try, which had been made by a fantastic passage from the forwards. Phillips then narrowly missed the conversion and Broadland went into half time 17-5 down.

Broadland made a substitute and planned to try and carry on their forward's domination in the scrum and open play. Beccles weren't going to let the domination continue though and started to match Broadland in the scrum and out in the back line. Fantastic tackling from all of the Broadland backs stopped them.

Slowly the play moved from end-to-end with both teams failing to turn their territory into points. This resulted in many scrums being given away from scrappy passes and handling. With the ball on the half-way line Beccles started a maul which progressed down the field and, when split up, ended in a drive-over try by one of their forwards (unconverted.)

Broadland were annoyed at letting this try through as the tackling all round had been good especially from winger Adcock and both centres. Still Broadland fought on spreading the ball to both wings resulting in some great runs from Jake Sewell as well as Adcock. Despite this Beccles were resilient and Broadland squandered possession and territory when it mattered.

As the game drew to a close there were many scrums because of poor handling in the bad conditions which resulted in Broadland being pushed around and then pushing Beccles back the next scrum causing the game to go nowhere.

At the final whistle Broadland were disappointed as they had not won but they had put out a spirited performance and are looking forward to playing Beccles in three weeks time. Their next game is against North Walsham at the Cobholm playing fields on Sunday the 22nd of February.

Man of the match: Sam Adcock

Author TBC

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