IPSWICH YMCA 7 – BECCLES 24

Beccles Bulls warmed up for this weeks vital top of the table clash with Holt with a comfortable win over Ipswich YMCA. In a physically demanding match Beccles were always in control and won by 7-24.

Beccles remain three points clear at the top of the table and travel to second place Holt tomorrow for their biggest game of the season so far. An away win would see Beccles all but guarantee promotion and make the Bulls favourite to win the league. The team want to take a large number of supporters to cheer them to victory and their will be a bus leaving from the clubhouse at 11:30Am on Saturday, any supporters are welcome.

Beccles made a few changes in their backline. Arnold moved from centre to fly-half, swapping positions with Payne. Squirrell returned to the centre after a spell on the bench and Wade replaced the injured Cracknell on the wing.
The opening thirty minutes were tight. Beccles had much of the territory and possession but their opponent’s commitment at the rucks and mauls made it difficult for the Bulls to get on the score sheet. In the end the forwards came up with the opening score with a training ground penalty move. Ling took the ball into contact and the rest of the forwards joined him to set up a maul. Thomas took hold of the ball and was driven over the line for the first try.
Beccles added another try before halftime. The ball was recycled well and Wade was found free out wide to canter over for a try. He converted his own try to make the score at half time 12-0.

Beccles dominated the second half with the Beccles pack well on top of their opposition. The experiment with moving Arnold to fly-half was also working well. Arnold controlled the game well and made few mistakes. For this he was made the White Horse man of the match. Despite the dominance by Beccles Ipswich scored first. A loose pass in the backs saw an interception. It looked like the Ipswich centre was going to run the length of pitch before he was brought down by a fine tackle by Gedney just short of the line. However Ipswich recycled the ball quickly and scored a converted try.

Beccles were quickly back in control with a repeat of the penalty move from the first half. Thomas was again the scorer with his ninth try of the season. This took him to the top of the scoring charts for the season. Harris finished off the scoring when he cut through the home defence and dived full length over the line. This made the final score 24-7.

Keith Johnstone Beccles Press Officer