Broadland–Great Yarmouth 10, Felixstowe 3

RUGBY: The first half was a defensive affair as Felixstowe pinned the Yarmouth side back through some good tactical kicking.

Broadland had a couple of penalty attempts and some passages of play, notably from lock Kieran Wilkes who had a bulldozing run, Peter Gilbey making a couple of clean break and Liam Howlett majestically side-stepping his opposite number.

However, B-GY could not connect on the final pass. I

Their defensive work was exceptional in the first half with prop Sean Tubby’s tackle on the Felixstowe fly-half the highlight.

Broadland began to apply pressure in the second half, but their first score was a long time coming. No 8 Adam Towfighi took the ball off the back of the line-out and drove upfield, off-loading to Chris Hewitt who carried and passed inside to centre Sam Noon. He took the contact with Beckett and Bilyard, securing possession. Prop Sean Tubby came in at speed to drive over from close range (unconverted).

Broadland did not let up on the pace as they fielded the kick and drove into midfield. Richard Ruddick carried up the blind side and Broadland moved closer to the line. A knock-on gave Felixstowe possession at their own five.

Broadland surged in the scrimmage and the ball popped out of the side. Scrum-half Phil Buckley showed quick reactions as he pounced on the loose ball and dived over (unconverted).

Felixstowe added a penalty in the last ten but Broadland held firm for the home win.

Comm Tech MoM: Sean Tubby/Kieran Wilkes.

Team: T Weston, B Collings, S Noon P Gilbey, L Howlett, S Ruddick, P Buckley, R Gallie, M Beckett, S Tubby, S French, K Wilkes C Hewitt, R Ruddick, A Towfighi (captain). Replacements: J Payne (50), R Bilyard (60) J Payne (70).

Tries: Tubby, Buckley. Con: Weston 0 of 2. Pen: Weston 0 of 4.

Thetford 2nd XV 0, Broadland-Great Yarmouth Tigers 27

The Tigers started this Merit Table game well with some excellent driving forward play with Bensley and Riches taking the hard yard, setting up good field position.

However the Tigers’ first try came via the back with Sewell finishing off a series of play involving some great passing out of contact by C Calnon and Bensley.

After the re-start Dixon, in his first appearance since returning from Australia, broke from a maul, skipping past would-be tacklers before accelerating 40 meters to score under the posts.

A driving maul led to the first of Riches’ two tries, the giant prop using his strength to barge over the line to score, converted by Pollard.

Tigers put together several phases of play before Clarke shipped the ball to Payne, who chipped a perfectly-weighted kick to the corner. Man of the match, flying wing Williams, pounced to score a try on his debut.

Second half some last-gasp tackling and good counter-rucking. However, following a blind-side charge by Bensley from the scrum Clarke popped the ball up for Riches to drive over from close range.

A rare attack by the home side was thwarted with an almighty tackle from wing Dudley.

A determined and disciplined performance from the Tigers with great commitment from all 19 players who travelled.

MoM: J Williams.

Team: A Riches, P Finney, J Dwyer, P Calnon, C Calnon, A Morrison, E Dixon, N Bensley, R Clarke (captain), A Payne, J Dudley, L Buckley, J Sewell, J Williams, J Pollard. Subs: G Jarvis (40), G Hawke s(50), K Pywell (50), G Thompson (70).

Tigers’ next game is away to Southwold 2nd XV in a Merit Table clash, ko 2.15pm.