Beccles Vets 0-34 West Norfolk

Vets Veterans Challenge Cup

25/11/01

An overcast and rain threatened afternoon welcomed the two teams.With the pitch having taken an awful lot of water lately the conditions were hardly great.

With West Norfolk being the holders of this competition they were rightly held as favourites,and as the match progressed there stamina and pace shined through.West Norfolk dominated the first half, but very good defensive work by Beccles held the score to 7-0 to West Norfolk,Huw Caine excelling at Full-back.West Norfolks No8 Steve Smith broke the deadlock with the first try, collecting the ball from a tap penalty to canter in under the posts.Reeves converted.

Another excellent tackle by Caine stopped West Norfolk in there tracks,Beccles were then penalised for not releasing the ball with Reeves missing the resulting penalty.

Beccles had there first real attack with Clickers reaching the halfway line for the first time for Beccles,West Norfolk stole the ball and played an up and under, Caine was on hand again to catch and mark.

After 30mins Jerry Smith hurt his knee and was subbed with Mike Ferne replacing him.Peter Bicker had a good solo run up to the West Noroflk 22 mt line but then passed the ball forwards.Beccles were now starting to show there true colours and were slowly but surely gaining some form of control in the game.West Norfolk had the last attack before the half-time whistle blew.Half-time score 7-0 to West Norfolk.

Beccles attacked straight from the whistle but a bad pass to Vipond resulted in a West Norfolk break, Huw was on hand again to rescue the Beccles side kicking to safety.

Huw Caine was then unlucky not to break through the West Norfolk defence but for an excellent tackle by Smith.

West Norfolk again attacked through the centre and a high challenge by Hinsley resulted in a penalty for Norfolk,converted by Reeve,making the score 0-10.This saw West Norfolk play some exciting rugby for the next 5 mins with some very good power running from the backs and good inter-changing passes.Beccles defended stoutly but another infringement gave W.Norfolk another 3 points.

Then Beccles seemed to come together they created chance after chance,but didn`t seem to have the final touch.Bad passing by Titch lead to one attack to grind to a halt.Beccles upped the ante and dominated play for long periods.West Norfolk made some changes which didn`t seem to have much effect to the game.Beccles must rue the bad decisions they made.

West Norfolk had one attack stopped by Vipond, when it seemed certain they would score. Norfolk attacked through the center with Finch who passed inside to Reeve to score,all this against the run of play.Smith added the conversion,Norfolk were now winning 20 points to nil.

Beccles seemed to be still in control of the game with Paddy,Smudger and Denny playing well.Then would you believe it Norfolk strolled through the middle to clinch another try(Finch).Reeve duelly converted.

With the light rapidly failing the Referee blew for full-time.The final score by my reckoning 34-0 to West Norfolk.

Overall Beccles did themselves proud but where out done by Norfolks pace and stamina.

Maureen