Broadland–GY 68 Thetford 0

Adam Towfighi provided one of the best performances in the club’s history as he notched up five tries, including three long-range individual efforts.

This was complemented by a great overall team performance as the Great Yarmouth side put in 10 unanswered tries against Thetford. In October Broadland had only beaten Thetford 19-17 in a very close match.

Broadland started well and early pressure saw them camp inside the Thetford 22 metre line. To Thetford’s credit they defended well, as the Great Yarmouth side had a number of attempts at the goal-line held back. Finally Adam Towfighi broke to score. Broadland maintained pressure and following some great work from Sean Howley, he put Mossie Abeysekera clear, who bounced off a tackle to score. Thetford were struggling and flankers Chris Hewitt and Asa Morrison were putting in some good tackles to pin the visitors back.

Fly half Murray put in a crossfield kick which was masterfully taken by Ben Collings on the wing who outpaced the covering defence to score.

Broadland were moving the ball at will and Broadland line-out was working well with Simon Coleman taking Ball, almost at will. Broadland broke and Adam Towfighi went over for his second. This was followed shortly after Abeysekera finding some space, beating the full back to score his second. This left Broadland with a comfortable 33-0 half time lead.

Broadland knew Thetford’s defence was struggling and a break from Stacey Ledgerwood on the wing, saw Kieran Wilkes, then Jimmy Dwyer carry the ball inside the Thetford 22 metre line. Towfighi in support collected and breezed over for his hat-trick.

Broadland kept pinning Thetford back and with Thetford in possession at a scrum at their own five metre line, scrum half Simon Ruddick pounced on a loose ball over the scrum to dive over untouched.

Broadland’s pace was exceptional and they continued to move the ball. Mason Jerome and Phil Buckley both worked hard to get the ball close and with ruck secured Ruddick spun the ball out to fly half Murray in a miss move.

Thetford’s defence were set one way, with full back Jonno Stanhope-Smith cutting back collecting a perfect pass from Murray as he went over untouched for the score.

Thetford were beginning to mount an attack but a great tackle from Mark White led to a turnover. Rian Gallie carried the ball well into contact, and a quick ruck put Thetford on the back foot. Howley moved the ball upfield and finally Adam Towfighi went over for his fourth try.

The match was drawing to a close when Broadland had a ruck just inside their own half. Ruddick reversed play to the blindside, Towfighi took a short pass, crashed through the winger and headed to open space. Towfighi managed to outpace the full back to score under the post, Murray added his ninth conversion of the afternoon, to cap off a great win.

Tries: A Towfighi 5, M Abesecera 2, B Collings, S Ruddick, J Stanhope-Smith.

Con: S Murray 9 of 10.

Pen: S Murray 1 of 1.

Comm-Tech Man of the Match: Adam Towfighi.

Squad: J Dwyer, P Buckley (capt), M Jerome, K Wilkes, S Coleman, A Morrison, C Hewitt, A Towfighi, S Ruddick, S Murray, S Ledgerwood, S Howley, A Mossie, B Collings, J Stanhope-Smith.

Replacements: R Gallie, M White.