BECCLES 29 -3 THETFORD

Beccles Bulls moved back to three points clear at the top with a comfortable win over bottom club Thetford. The Beccles players improved on their poor performance the previous week by winning by 29-3.

Hinsley resisted the urge to change things and gave the same squad the chance to redeem themselves following the loss at Newmarket. The only change being Wade replacing Gedney in the starting line up. There was a large crowd on hand after the VP’s lunch with the match ball being sponsored by Maurice Young Removals.

A nervous start by the Bulls saw Thetford take the lead with an early drop goal. Beccles then started to play some good rugby and their confidence began to return. Soon Beccles had the opposition under pressure and Harris was able to wind his way over for a try which was converted by Arnold.

Beccles then had a superb ten minute spell where they added two more tries. First the forwards carried the ball between them up to the opposition’s line with a number of drives. Ling went close but was held up over the line. From the resulting scrum Rix was able to power his way over for his eighth try of the season. Straight from the restart Beccles scored again. Cracknell received the ball down the blindside well inside his own half. His pace took him round the Thetford defence and he was able to run in a long range try. Wade added the conversion and the halftime score was 19-3.

The Beccles dominance continued in the second half although some of the opposition’s tactics meant the game did not flow as freely. Two more tries were scored in the second half. The first came when the opposition spilled the ball, Wade was on hand to fly hack the ball on and then showed good football skills to dribble it over the line and touch down in the corner. Wade had shown some good skills during the match and was made the White Horse man of the match. The second try came straight from that weeks training session. A flying wedge was set up by Ling and the Beccles pack drove the opposition back over their line allowing Thomas to touch down.

This was a much improved performance by the Bulls and they will be hoping to get back to their pre-Christmas form in the next few matches. They travel to higher league Crusaders for a friendly on Saturday before getting back to league action away at Ipswich YMCA the following week.

Keith Johnstone Beccles Press Officer