Great Yarmouth-Broadland began their Eastern Counties Salver campaign with a pleasing home win against visitors Haverhill & District.

The hosts got off to a flying start when a break from Kieron Wilkes set an attack in motion culminating with Jacob Wells stepping outside to break clear down the wing to score.

The pressure continued from the kick-off with a driving maul moving the ball in close. With a scrum awarded to the home side flanker Asa Morrison went over but could not quite get the ball down. Moments later good work from Simon Ruddick put Ben Burch in space as he crashed over to score a try which was converted by Stuart Murray.

The Great Yarmouth side continued to press and George Wilson put in a storming run and with the ball brought back across the field, Matt Beckett went close to the line. Finally it was captain Shuan Howley who went over for the score which was converted by Murray.

Haverhill did made some good ground but strong tackling from Kane Read and Liam Haylett kept them outside the 22 metre line before they settled for a penalty.

Great Yarmouth continued to string together some really good attacks and Lee Raven made some good ground, with Nathan Bensley and Callum Courtney up quick in support. Stuart Murray put the ball wide to Ben Collings, who stepped inside to break from 15 metres to score, with Murray again converting to lead 28-3 at the break.

When the second half kicked off the hosts took the ball deep into Haverhill territory. Murray had a chance at a drop goal which he took to add three points to the tally.

Veteran Adam Bensley came on at lock, creating a father and son second row with his son Nathan in the pack.

Haverhill tested the home side’s defence but the match had no further scores, leaving Great Yarmouth-Broadland with a comfortable 31-3 win. The 1st XV are next back in action when they travel to play Saffron Walden II on February 17.

Great Yarmouth II were also in action as they played host to Lakenham, losing 39-0.

1st XV: M Beckett, L Raven, G Wilson, N Bensley, C Courtney, A Morrison, K Read, L Haylett, S Ruddick, J Wells, K Wilkes, B Burch, B Collings, S Howley, S Murray. Replacment: A Bensley (50).