Swaffham 17, Broadland-Great Yarmouth 19

BROADLAND-GREAT YARMOUTH consolidated their second place in their league with a late comeback against a well-organised Swaffham side.

Swaffham took an early lead through a penalty, and before Broadland had composed themselves mounted a sustained attack to score a converted try in the corner. At 10-0 down with only a few minutes played, Broadland looked in trouble.

Determined running from S Noon in midfield created space. Broadland moved the ball well and broke, but the final pass to B Collings went forward as a scoring opportunity was missed.

Swaffham took the scrum with the front row of A Riches, M Beckett and W Gibbs disrupting to full effect. The Swaffham scrum-half got the ball back for a clearance kick, flanker C Hewitt was up quick and managed to block it, the ball rebounding over the Swaffham try line where got a hand on it first to score (converted White).

Swaffham pulled together some excellent link play and, despite some exceptional tackling from E Dixon and S Noon, broke to score a converted try, leaving Broadland again trailing by 10 points.

Broadland’s line-out was in fine form as both A Morrison and captain A Towfighi seemed to be taking ball at will, providing a great platform, but Broadland could not turn this into points.

Broadland started the second half with intent. J Payne had a great break down the wing and fly-half S Ruddick was using full-back A Payne to great effect coming into the line.

Broadland won a line-out just inside the Swaffham 22. A clean catch set up a misdirection play and hooker R Bilyard took a discreet pass and headed upfield and through the Swaffham full-back to score (unconverted).

Broadland’s tempo increased and scrum-half P Buckley rallied the forwards as they drove towards Swaffham’s line. K Wilkes put in a typical bulldozing run as Broadland edged closer.

Morrison got over the line but was unable to get the ball down and again Swaffham cleared. But Broadland’s attacking play was relentless. With M Beckett and W Gibbs making some hard yards the Great Yarmouth side moved closer.

Towfighi broke to score from 15 meters as he side-stepped two defenders. Veteran centre M White kicked the conversion for the lead.

Broadland played position for the final five minutes as the pack picked and drove the ball. With Swaffham starved of possession Broadland took a valuable away win.

Broadland now have two league games left. Ipswich YM secured first place last weekend, and Broadland need one win from their last two games to take second spot.

They are, however, facing an injury problem across the club with forwards S French (elbow) and S Weston (ankle) as well as captain S Ledgerwood (ankle) all likely to be out for the remainder of the season.

However, it is expected that T Weston (ankle) T Barber (knee), R Gallie (shoulder), S Tubby (shoulder) and R Ruddick (knee) will all be returning from injury shortly.

Team: A Payne, B Collings, M White , S Noon, J Payne, S Ruddick, P Buckley, A Riches, M Beckett, W Gibbs, K Wilkes, A Morrison, C Hewitt, E Dixon, A Towfighi. Replacements: L Howlett (40 minutes) R Bilyard (40) R Clarke (not used).

Tries: C Hewitt, R Bilyard, A Towfighi. Conversions: White, two of three.

For more information on playing rugby in Great Yarmouth, youth or senior, or becoming involved in helping run the club, please visit www.broadlandrfc.com