Beccles had a tough afternoon against North Walsham Raiders at Scottow, crashing to a 75-17 defeat.

The visitors had won their opening two fixtures in Eastern Counties One North but found Walsham’s second string a totally different proposition.

With some of the previous week’s squad unavailable some new youngsters were introduced by the hosts along with a couple of the most experienced players in the club, front rowers Stuart Loose and Mark McCall.

Also back after a two year absence was scrum-half Will Quinn who showed he had lost nothing during his absence.

The Raiders got off to a quick start and within the space of four minutes had two tries in the bag the first for outside half George Masdin and the second for wing Rob King, neither of which were converted.

At this point flanker Liam Clarke left the pitch with an injury that later required surgery but was fortunately not serious. His replacement, Fijian Eroni Tuimoala, put in a storming display, scoring two second half tries.

Two more tries before the end of the first quarter, for wing Will Minchin and full back Harry Dye, kept the score ticking but following a period of pressure Beccles pulled five points back with a try in the corner.

Minching completed the first half scoring with a try which he converted for a 29-5 lead at the break.

A minor injury to Masdin saw him replaced by Michael Mulhall and the back line was shuffled, causing some problems while new combinations bedded in and more pressure by Beccles gained them seven points.

This setback spurred the Raiders on and the score began to mount and there were eight second half scores but in the dying minutes Beccles were rewarded for their never-say-die attitude with a third try.

The Raiders tries came from Will Minchin (3), Rob King (3), Harry Dye (2), Eroni Tuimoala (2), George Masdin and Michael Mulhall.

Beccles will be aiming to get their season back on track tomorrow when they entertain a Norwich Medics side who have won one and lost one so far.

The hosts have slipped to fourth in the league. with Fakenham. Diss Saracens and North Walsham Raiders above them.