Broadland-Great Yarmouth 15, Crusaders II 0BROADLAND-Great Yarmouth's season got under way with a solid performance.Early scores gave the Yarmouth team a platform which they held throughout, including a comprehensive defensive display in the second half which ensured the visitors did not cross the goal line.

Broadland-Great Yarmouth 15, Crusaders II 0

BROADLAND-Great Yarmouth's season got under way with a solid performance.

Early scores gave the Yarmouth team a platform which they held throughout, including a comprehensive defensive display in the second half which ensured the visitors did not cross the goal line.

Broadland's start was about as good as it could have been, with possession turned over at the kick-off, Scrum half Phil Buckley launched an attack crossfield, Stacey Ledgerwood created some space as the forwards supported play and hooker Rye Bilyard concluded the attack with a short and powerful burst through the Crusaders line to score (converted Lightfoot).

A penalty provided the opportunity for Lightfoot to add three points. Broadland's attacking was purposeful and with good ground being made, No 8 Adam Towfighi's open running was causing problems for Crusaders.

But it was Centre Ledgerwood who saw an opportunity as he reversed play back inside to flanker Ed Dixon, who cut across the Crusaders' defence and scored untouched from 40 meters (unconverted). Broadland-Great Yarmouth led the half 15-0.

Broadland held firm for the second period as Crusaders improved attacking play, but the Broadland defensive line held well. Lock Sam French was sent off, for a second yellow card, but even reduced to 14, Broadland still managed to contain the visitors.

Tries: Bilyard, Dixon. Con: Lightfoot one of one. Pen: Lightfoot one of one.

Team: J Doggett, J Payne, J Alfshinpour, S Ledgerwood, M Scott, A Lightfoot, P Buckley M Beckett (capt), R Bilyard, R Gallie, S French, R Chiddle, A Morrison, E Dixon A Towfighi. Replacements: T Ward (4 mins), A Hewitt (40 mins) S Watson (40 mins).

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Broadland-Great Yarmouth Tigers 0, Lowestoft and Yarmouth 51

WORK commitments keeping some of the new talent away, the Tigers were not able to field any replacements. So the first run-out of the season was by a team containing an interesting mix of youth and experience with Sam Noon and Chris Hewett playing well in unfamiliar positions of fly half and wing.

The opposition fielded a mixed team with more than a sprinkling of first team players and a replacement bench of 13.

Despite this the Tigers pinned their visitors in their own half for much of the opening exchanges, only conceding breakaway tries . The Tigers came close on a number of occasions to breaching the opposition line and were denied at the last by a mixture of solid defence and the final pass not reaching its target.

Tigers can take heart from a gutsy performance, with excellent debut performances from Nathan Bensley at No 8 and Chris Calnon in the second row. There was also a great cameo performance from veteran Mark Lacock, who showed he still possesses a potent tap tackle, using it to good effect to deny the visitors two tries. His performance was marred only by a clumsy obstruction that led to a 10-minute visit to the sin bin.

Pocket dynamo and MoM George Jarvis had a stormer, taking a hatful of balls against the head, ably supported by props D Wardrop and W Gibbs.

Tigers are at home to Wymondham III in their first Merit Table Two outing ko 3pm.

Team: W Gibbs, G Jarvis, D Wardrop, J Fogg, C Calnon, P Calnon, M Camock, N Bensley, R Clarke (capt), S Noon, T Barber, C Hewett, M Lacock, D Moorhouse, J Sewell.