NORWICH II 7 – BECCLES 29

Beccles completed their pre-season preparations with an impressive win against a strong Norwich side. With the first league game on Saturday, home to Fakenham, the Bulls confidence was boosted in a match they dominated and ran out winners 29-7.
Captain Hinsley was bale to put out a strong side with the competition for places being high. Beccles started the game well with a number of driving mauls that went deep into the Norwich defence. After ten minutes the Bulls were able to open the scoring. A long twisting run from Cracknell took the play deep into the opponents territory. Good support meant the ball was recycled quickly and Lake was on hand to crash over the line for a try. Beccles scored again soon after this. Some good driving from the forwards sucked in the Norwich defence and when Beccles spun the ball wide Gedney was left free on the wing to run in a simple try.
Norwich had their best spell after this. They laid siege to the Beccles line, with the referee awarding them a string of penalties. Beccles held out for a full ten minutes before their line was breached. This made the score 12-7 at half time.
It was all Beccles in the second half, the Bulls superior fitness was good reward for some hard pre-season training. Some good straight running by Rix and Wilson was causing problems for the opposition. This soon led to another score when new signing Arnold went over in the corner for his first try for the club. Lake added his second of the afternoon when he bounced out of a tackle before crossing the line. The scoring was completed by Giddens who went over in the corner late in the match.
Beccles had a number of new signings on show. The best of which was Phillips who showed a great work rate round the park and was made the White Horse man of the match.
The three pre-season games have given the Bulls confidence. They are unbeaten with two wins and a draw and have put in an improved performance in each game. They will now be looking to continue this improvement against Fakenham on Saturday (K.O 3:00PM) in their first league game. Please come along and support the team.

Keith Johnstone Beccles Press Officer