Solid win for Broadland

DESPITE the blustery conditions Broadland maintained their good home form and recorded a solid victory over a battling Mistley side.

The game began at a frantic pace with both teams trying to impose their size on each other, Mistley used their big men continuously but strong defence from Ed Dixon and Adam Towfighi prevented them making much progress.

Broadland took the game back to them, and strong running from super veteran Andrew Riches and lock Kieran Wilkes started to pin Mistley back.

After quick ball wide Joe Payne almost broke through to score but was thwarted by the covering defence.

Quick ball out to the backs allowed centre Peter Gilbey to chip over the defence and collect his kick to ease past several defenders and score near the posts (converted Tom Weston).

The second half started with Mistley again trying to batter their way through to the try-line but some strong defence on the line from Asa Morrison and Rian Gallie led to the ball being held short before finding its way back to Broadland.

Fly-half Simon Ruddick begun to spread the ball wider thanks to good ball from Phil Buckley and this allowed Broadland to move up the field quickly.

Broadland’s persistence paid off with centre Gilbey breaking through and passing to Tom Weston who scored under the posts (converted Tom Weston).

Mistley tried to rally but found Rye Bilyard and Sam Noon in their way. Between them they put in a host of bruising tackles.

Broadland scored a late penalty from the boot of Tom Weston.

Team: T Weston, J Payne, P Gilbey, S Noon, B Collings, S Ruddick, P Buckley, A Riches, R Bilyard, R Gallie, K Wilkes, A Morrison, R Ruddick, E Dixon, A Towfighi (captain). Replacements: S Ledgerwood (50), C Hewitt (74).

Tries: T Weston, P Gilbey. Con: Weston 2 of 2. Pen: T Weston 1 of 1.

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

Broadland-Great Yarmouth’s toga-themed Valentine’s party takes place tomorrow at 7pm in the clubhouse, �2, open to all club members and friends.

Wymondham 3rd XV 38, Broadland-Great Yarmouth Tigers 5

BROADLAND Tigers travelled with a much-changed squad

The home side went straight on the attack, putting the Tigers’ defence under extreme pressure. All the Tigers could do was defend their hearts out, and this worked well until Wymondham worked a maul from a line-out to go over for their first try (converted).

The Tigers tried to produce some continuity into their game but with the scrum and set-piece under some much pressure it was hard to achieve.

Tigers lost stalwart P Calnon to injury, replaced by J Dwyer. Again Wymondham were patient and worked their way up field to release their scrum-half to score (converted).

The Tigers produced some good inter-play to reach the Wymondham five-metre line, but were turned over.

Wymondham slowly broke down the Tigers defence to score (converted).

After the break the Tiger’s conceded another try despite putting in tackle after tackle.

The Tigers produced a well-worked try, with the forward pack producing rare quick ball, allowing scrum half Clarke to release J Dwyer who punched a hole close to the ruck.

With the inside-backs committed, quick ball for fly half Payne allowed him to move the ball wide to Raven who rounded the defence to score a fine try (unconverted). It finished off a great movement involving forwards and backs.

Tigers saw changes: Crane, Barber and Simmons for Jarvis, Beagrie and Black.

Tigers conceded two more tries, but the game was a lot closer than the score showed.

Spar Hemsby MoM: C Calnon.

Team: B Trett, P Finney , L Monson, C Calnon, P Calnon, J Prescott, J Dudley, P Crane (captain), R Clarke, A Payne, L Howlett, T Simmons, L Raven, T Barber, J Pollard. Subs: J Dwyer (15), G Jarvis (50), G Hawkes (60), D Beagrie (70), S Black (70).