Mildenhall 14, Broadland–Great Yarmouth 35

BROADLAND–GREAT YARM- OUTH consolidated their position in second place in Eastern Counties Two, with a solid away performance against Mildenhall.

Strong, hard running created gaps in the Mildenhall defensive line, with Broadland gaining ground well.Joe Payne broke, kicked through and scored under the posts (converted Gilby).

Broadland had Ruddick Brothers Simon and Richard playing in the half-backs, and with a multitude of attacking options Broadland’s forwards surged at Mildenhall with great runs from Kieran Wilkes, Adam Towfighi and Asa Morrison.

Some quick hands from Anthony Payne and Jamie Williamson in the midfield set full-back Joe Payne free for a second score (converted Gilbey).

Mildenhall tried hard to break the Broadland line but met with solid defence with some excellent tackling from Ryan Gallie, James Fogg and Sean Tubby.

Centre Peter Gilbey broke from halfway and kicked deep, collecting on the bounce to score under the posts (converted Gilbey).

Broadland were in sparkling form. Wing Ben Collings broke in field and after beating three defenders got within two meters of the goal-line, Ruddick was up quick and a short pass saw hooker Matt Beckett crash over (converted J Payne). Broadland finished the half 28-0 up.

Second half replacement Royce Chiddle and Liam Howlett both had strong early runs. The break of the day was from Ed Dixon, who broke out of two tackles in his half to almost go the distance, only to be dragged down two meters short. Broadland support was good, but could not get the score as Mildenhall kicked clear.

The following line-out Broadland broke up the short side and Beckett drew his man and put lock Kieran Wilkes over for the score (converted Ruddick).

With 20 minutes to play, it looked certain that a flood of B-GY tries was likely, however Mildenhall broke and scored a converted try and broke through a second time. .

Team: J Payne, J Williamson, P Gilbey A Payne, B Collings, S Ruddick, R Ruddick, R Gallie, M Beckett, S Tubby, K Wilkes, J Fogg, A Morrison, E Dixon, A Towfighi (captain). Replacements: L Howlett (40), R Chiddle (50).

Tries: J.Payne 2, Gilbey, Beckett, Wilkes. Con: Gilbey 3 of 3, S.Ruddick 1 of 1 J, Payne 1 of 1.

Tomorrow, Broadland have a much tougher challenge as they take on league leaders Ipswich YM in a top-of-the-table clash. Kick-off is at 2.15pm at Cobholm playing fields, Great Yarmouth.

Swaffham II 12, Broadland-Great Yarmouth Tigers 26

The first try for the Tigers came from an interception by R Burling of a Swaffham pass. With a flick of the after-burners he was off down the pitch for a touchdown under the posts (converted M Pywell).

The second break for the Tigers also came from a bit of Burling wizardry, with a lovely gliding run through the middle of the pitch to score again under the posts (converted M Pywell).

Swaffham struck back with a try from a well-worked move, with a break down the blind-side and good support play.

The Tigers struck back with a well-worked try with some good driving play from the forwards and then some quick hands from the backs to release J Pollard for the chip over the top and the chase to the line to beat three defenders to score.

The second half saw a tighter game from Swaffham, closing the Tigers down quicker and giving them less room to move and fewer options.

An injury to L Gallie saw D Beagrie come onto the wing.

The deadlock was broken with a great bit of power play from the forwards. They drove their way down the pitch with the final break coming from Liam Monson, who collected defenders like souvenirs as he powered his way over the line to score.

With the final quarter to play G Thompson and P Crane came on for J Dwyer and P Finney.

Swaffham collected a final score from a tap-penalty which caught the Tigers napping (converted).

MoM: Liam Monson.

Team: L Monson, G Holmes , J Dwyer, M Cammock, M Vickerstaff, W Gibbs, P Finney, P Abel (captain), R Clarke, M Pywell, G Hart, G Hawkes, R Burling, L Gallie, J Pollard. Subs: D Beagrie, G Thompson, P Crane.