Basildon 9 – Beccles 11

  Beccles moved up to joint second in London Division 4 North East with a victory at Basildon. This was the first Beccles win in Essex in six years. A late Wade penalty was enough to give Beccles victory by 11-9. Beccles now face Mersea Island at home next week in a top of the table clash with their long time rivals. With a VP’s lunch before hand it promises to be a big weekend of rugby at Beef Meadow on Saturday.

  Beccles took a strong squad down to Basildon and started the game well. The pack was on top in the line out and scrum and Beccles had their opposition under pressure. Wilson was taking good ball at the lineout and the pack was driving deep in to opposition territory.

  It was from one of these driving mauls that the first score came. The pack drove to within five meters before Sale broke of the back of the maul and scored out wide. Wade missed the conversion but when Beccles got another rolling maul going they won a penalty which he converted to give a half time score of 8-0.

  The Beccles performance dropped in the second half and they let the opposition back in to the game. Beccles were pressed back on their line for long periods as Basildon looked for a try. The superb Beccles defence held firm lead by some tough tackling from Musker McIntyre man of the match Hall. Basildon did pick up three penalties to edge themselves in to the lead.

  So many times in the last few years Beccles have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory on their travels but this time was different. With time running out Beccles played their way out of defence and in to the opponents half. They won a penalty at a scrum and Wade stepped up to take the kick. He held his nerve and slotted it between the uprights.

  There was still three minutes to go and Basildon came back with everything they had. However they couldn’t get through the tough Beccles defence and the final score was 11 – 8.