BECCLES 17-15 BARNET ELIZABETHANS

Beccles Bulls continued their progress in the EDF Energy Senior Cup with a win over Barnet Elizabethans at Beef Meadow. After a superb first half performance they hung on in the second half to win by 17 – 15.
Rix made a number of changes from the side that played the previous week. Townsend was recalled at hooker after an eight year absence from the first team. Porter replaced Hinsley at flanker and Wilson and Maeer were on the bench.
Barnet were relegated from London Division 3 last year so Beccles knew they were in for a tough match and would have to start well. They did this and they soon went in to lead with a penalty from Wade. Beccles kept the pressure on and started creating scoring chances. The first Beccles try was a good combination of forward and back play. From a line-out Beccles set up a rolling maul which took them within five yards of the line. The ball went out to the backs; Harris ran an excellent line from full back and was picked out by Payne. He sliced through the defence and dived over under the posts. Wade added the conversion.
Arnold, the White Horse man of the match, was kicking well and pinning the opposition back in their 22. Just before half time Beccles added another try. The opposition defence was getting stretched and Wade received the ball out wide and powered his way over the line. He converted his own try to make the score 17-0 at half time.
After an excellent first half the Bulls again performed poorly in the second half. Barnet came back in to the game and scored three tries, all unconverted, to bring the score back to 17-15. The last of these tries came with five minutes left to go. The Bulls kept possession well and were able to run down the clock in their opponents half and hold on for the victory.
Beccles are at home again next week when they are back in league action against Basildon (KO 3:00PM)



Keith Johnstone Beccles Press Officer