In a tight, enthralling encounter at Beef Meadow Beccles just had enough to see off their visitors.

Despite the slippery conditions, both teams played expansive rugby from the very start. Upminster missed an early opportunity to take the lead from a missed penalty but soon made amends when the Upminster Number-Eight shrugged off several tackles to go over for the first try of the game.

Beccles responded immediately, starting from a fine individual run from Harrison who scythed through the defence. From the resulting breakdown, Hewitt dummied his opposite man and went over to level. Wade added the extras to make the scores 7-7.

A further try came from Vasey-Lark, hitting a fine line to finish off a training ground move crafted by Wade. (Wade conv.)

Beccles looked to be in control of the game, Lake found Hinsley with pin-point accuracy in the line-out and the pack provided a solid platform for the backs to play expansive rugby. The half ended when Upminster scored from a series of drives at the breakdown.

The second half began with a spell of dominance from the Upminster side. Beccles struggled to put any passages of play together however, remained resilient in defence.

After a series of last ditch tackles and close encounters, Beccles held out and soon clicked into gear, top try scorer R Wilson continued his fine form by crashing over for his sixth try of the campaign in as many matches. (Wade conv.)

This lead was nullified almost immediately as Upminster regained the ball from the kick-off and scored under the posts, making the score 21 a piece. With the game coming to the latter stages each side exchanged penalty kicks.

Williamson was unlucky not to score another interception try but the ball just fell away from him. The Upminster Number-Eight looked dangerous throughout the game however, a series of bone-crunching tackles from Frost and Starks kept him at bay.

The game looked to be heading for a draw, but some fine quick hands from the Beccles backs allowed them to exploit the overlap and Trios of Loddon Man of the Match Harrison, coolly finished off in the corner for the match winner and crucial bonus point. Wade added the honors to seal off another great rugby match at Beef Meadow.

Next week Beccles travel to Wisbech next week in what promises to be an exciting encounter.