Beccles 11 – Mersea Island 13

  Beccles Bulls narrowly lost to league leaders Mersea Island at Beef Meadow on Saturday. Mersea came from behind to win the game 13 – 11.

  With a big crowd watching Beccles unveiled there new playing shirts. The club would like to thank the shirt sponsors PDI Utilities, The Caxton Arms, RB Hunt Electrical, Darren Maeer Builders and Keith Hall Contracting. Beccles also had their new overseas player in the team with New Zealander Nick Schmidt starting on the wing.

  Beccles dominated territory from the start of the game. They kept Mersea trapped deep in their half with some good kicking by Murray in particular. Hinsley was stealing the ball well at the line out keeping possession for Beccles.

  Mersea did manage to break out of their half and score a penalty but Beccles were soon back on top. A Wade penalty tied the scores before the same player added another penalty to put them in front. This gave a half time score of 6-3.

  Beccles started the second half well and were rewarded with a try. A number of drives by the forwards took the ball close to the line before Musker McIntyre man of the Match Rob Wilson crashed over to score.

  Mersea began to chase the game and put pressure on Beccles. The scored a penalty to pull three points back. The Beccles defence held out for long periods but the try eventually came from a cross field kick. Mersea added the conversion to take a two point lead.

  Beccles had five minutes to get back in front. The surged towards the Mersea line but were continually held up just short. In the end time ran out and Beccles had gone down narrowly by 13-11.

  Beccles travel to Sudbury on Saturday and will be looking to bounce back well from this defeat.