With Gedney, Arnold, Pitts, Fisher and Gooney all injured or unavailable this was the most changes Beccles have had to make to their squad all season. The squad responded well and showed that they are beginning to develop some depth. There was a debut from the bench for Knights who has developed well since taking up the game at the start of the season. He continued that development with a good performance.
The big Newmarket pack looked to dominate Beccles early on but Beccles soon got on top in the game. The Beccles scrum worked well and Catling and Maeer won everything at the lineout. It was from a good lineout take that Beccles opened the scoring. The ball was recycled well in midfield and fed quickly to Hannam who rounded the defence to go over under the posts. Kauri added the conversion
Beccles continued to put the pressure on Newmarket and added another try before half time. Beccles went through a number of phases to create an overlap out wide but Bonner didn’t need to use it and powered his way through to score himself. Kauri again added the extras. This gave a half time score of 0 – 14.
In the second half the game continued in a similar pattern. Beccles controlled the game and eventually added the third try. A classy sidestep from Hannam put him past his opposite number and he went over for his second try of the game. Kauri added the conversion.
Newmarket added a try of their own when their winger intercepted a Beccles pass. As the game moved in to the closing stages Beccles were able to add their fourth try to secure another bonus point. After some good ball retention the ball was fed to Holtzer who powered his way over for a try.
Newmarket picked up another try right at the end but Beccles were comfortable winners by 12 – 26. Man of the match was Morton.
Beccles are now five points clear at the top of the table. They travel to Cottenham Renegades on Saturday as they look to continue their quest for promotion.