Beccles Rugby Club kicked off their new season by entering a 10 aside tournament at Broadland. Beccles sent a young team with a few more experienced players. After a slow start to the tournament Beccles ended up finishing runners-up.

  Beccles started the tournament with only ten players so were unable to take advantage of the rolling subs rule. They started off against an Army side and despite Beccles pushing for a score throughout the match the score remained 0-0.

  In their second game Beccles came up against Lowestoft and Yarmouth 1sts. Beccles went ahead after a fine try by Pennington. Lowestoft came back strongly and scored two tries to win the game.

  Beccles had to beat Broadland to go through to the semi-finals. They started the game well and went ahead through a Dyer try. Broadland equalised before Beccles went back in to the lead with another well worked try.

  In the semis Beccles faced a good Woodbridge side. Woodbridge took the lead but Beccles were soon level after an opportunistic try by captain Johnstone. In the second half Beccles clinched the game when Kiernan sprinted clear to touch down in the corner.

  This set up a rematch with Lowestoft in the final. Lowestoft took the lead but Beccles equalised when Johnstone scored his second of the afternoon under the posts. In the second half the small Beccles squad began to take its toll. As the players began to tire Lowestoft added two tries to clinch the final.

  Beccles have their first 15 aside game this week with a squad match against Norwich. All the players will be given a chance to stake their claim for the coming season. The game will be followed by a BBQ and a ‘Inflatable Duel Challenge’ sponsored by the Caxton Arms. This starts at 4:00 Pm after the game and all are welcome.