Beccles brought down to earth with a bump after making promising start
James Riley sets out on a run during North Walsham's big win over Ruislip. Picture: Hywel Jones - Credit: Archant
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.
Most Read
- 1 Heavy delays on major Norfolk road after crash
- 2 New Asian restaurant already fully booked a week after opening
- 3 Festival of Suffolk torch relay reaches Waveney
- 4 Broads Authority moves to prosecute pub over caravans - again
- 5 Suffolk school transforms wasted space into nature garden
- 6 What time will the Red Arrows be flying over Suffolk this weekend?
- 7 Suffolk drivers urged to use caution in Quiet Lanes amid growing scheme
- 8 'A very special weekend' - Bungay set for 'happy and glorious' Jubilee
- 9 Popular band preparing to celebrate best of British music in Beccles
- 10 F1 star jumps out of plane over Suffolk town
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.
