Beccles handed a first start to Luke Kelly at Hooker and with captain Sale dropping to the bench because of illness Evans moved to scrum-half.
Stowmarket started the game well and spent long periods in the Beccles twenty-two. However, some solid defence from Beccles restricted them to a couple of unsuccessful penalty attempts. Good tackling by Bonner and Hewitt led the defensive effort.
As the half went on Beccles began to come in to the game and put their opposition under pressure. They too missed a couple of penalties before getting on the score sheet. A scrum on the Stowmarket five and a big effort from the Beccles pack drove them towards the try line. This left Evans free to pick up and go over for the score. Wade added the conversion and a further penalty to give a half time score of 10 – 0.
The start of the second half was again tight with neither side creating any clear opportunities. As the half wore on some good territory kicking from Bennett was pinning Stowmarket in their half and closing the game down. However, a fumble at the lineout and a missed tackle let Stowmarket break out and score a converted try to give a tight finish.
Beccles were pinned on their line and down to fourteen after a sin bin. Stowmarket looked to have created a clear overlap to score until Armstrong stepped in with a vital interception to stop the try and seal the points for Beccles 10 – 7. B&B Skips man of the match was Luke Kelly.
Beccles have a week off before entertaining bottom club Clacton the following week. They will be looking to make amends for a poor performance away at Clacton and another win so they can start to climb the table.
Utility forward James Giddins was playing his last game for the club on Saturday before moving away. James has been playing for Beccles for around twenty years and has always given his all to the cause. He will be missed and the club wishes him well in the future.