Crusaders 21 v Beccles 17

  Beccles lost their local derby against Crusaders in London Division 4 North East. Beccles were denied tries on three separate occasions as they were narrowly beaten 21-17.

  Beccles had one of the strongest sides they have put out recently with the returns of Arnold and Green to the side. Gedney took on the role of captain in place of the injured Ling.

  Beccles started the game well and were first on the score sheet. After a series of drives Beccles moved close to the Crusaders line. Sale picked up from the base of the ruck, dummied a pass and sneaked over the line for a try. Murray added the conversion.

  Crusaders scored an unconverted try before Beccles scored again straight from the kick off. A good chase and tackle by Porter caused panic in the Crusaders defence. As they tried to clear the ball Musker McIntyre man of the match Paul Wilson charged down the kick, picked up the loose ball and cantered over for a try. It was then converted from Murray.

  Crusaders had the wind and the slope and began to put pressure on the Beccles defence. They managed to work an opening and scored an unconverted try in the corner. This gave a half time score of 14 – 10 in Beccles favour.

  Crusaders started the second half well and scored two penalties to take the lead. After this Beccles began to take charge. They went back in to the lead with a Murray penalty. They then went close when they drove over the line only for the referee not to award the try as he was unsighted.

  The luck then swung against Beccles. Crusaders lost their props to injury and a lack of replacement meant that the scrums had to go uncontested. This meant that Beccles could not put any pressure on their opponents scrum. They were also reduced to 14 men when Rob Wilson was given a yellow card for a high tackle.

  Crusaders scored a try in the corner to go in to the lead. Beccles worked a good position close to the oppositions line and began looking for the winning try. They had claims for a penalty try before they crossed the line again only for the referee not to award the try. With one final effort the whole of the Beccles side joined in to a maul and crossed the line only for the touchdown to be missed for the third time.

  Beccles face Wymondham in the Norfolk Senior cup this weekend in their last game before the Christmas break.