Beccles got 2017 off to a winning start with a comfortable win against Bury 3’s. With Bury only able to field 12 Beccles turned in a comfortable, if uninspired performance to win by 55 – 10.
With their numerical advantage Beccles were always in control of this game but they found it difficult to maintain their performance level as a result. Burys players kept putting the effort in and the Beccles game plan often went out of the window as gaps opened up. Beccles opened the scoring after a loose lineout found its way to Morgan who sprinted clear to score his first try for the club. Gedney added the first of his five conversions during the afternoon. Bury it back after some elusive running from the their fullback saw him go in for a try. Beccles added another two tries from Armstrong and Puxley before Maeer finished off a driving maul with the bonus point try. Bury hit back with another try after weak tackling from Beccles. It was Beccles who rounded off the scoring in the first half with Arnold crossing to give a half time score of 29 – 10. In the second half the Bury players began to tire and Beccles were able to add four more tries during the half. Maeer added his second and then Holtzer added a try of his own after some good support play. Gedney then went over after a fine pick up and pass from Larkworthy put him in the clear. The final try came with some great individual skill from Man of the Match Puxley. He received a kick in the Beccles twenty-two and returned it with a towering kick of his own. He managed to chase and catch his kick, juggling it to take at fourth attempt just before it went in to touch. He then raced clear to score under the posts. Gedney added the conversion to seal the game by 55-10. Beccles had targeted this game for five points as they look to move up the league. Despite the disjointed performance it was job done and points in the bag. They now move on to a game at second place Wymondham on Saturday and the performance will need to improve if they are to get anything out of it. The second team travelled to Lakenham on Saturday. They travelled with twelve players and lost by 54 – 17. Despite the loss it was another spirited performance from the second team and they score three tries, two from Cooper and one from Gardiner. This week they host UEA. If anyone is looking for a challenge for the New Year and fancy giving rugby a try we welcome players of all experience and ability. You would be welcome to turn up at a training session (Tuesday 19:00 or Thursday 19:30) or call Keith Johnstone on 07788430625.