Beccles come up short despite valiant effort
MARCHING ON: Beccles second team go from strength to strength. They are now second in Eastern Counties Three North, a point behind the leaders North Walsham but with a game in hand, and unbeaten this season, with six wins from six games, having beaten former leaders Wymondham convincingly at home on Saturday 45-18. First team report, see page 55. - Credit: Archant
Upminster 57 Beccles 24
A depleted Beccles side, with a total of 10 changes to the side that despatched Billericay the week before, came up short against Upminster, despite a valiant effort.
Beccles started the game in the worst possible manner. A wheeled scrum in the Beccles 22 allowed the Upminster number eight a free run to the Beccles try line for the first score of the game. Beccles were further behind soon after when an Upminster loose-forward crashed through a hole in the defence for try number two.
Beccles found their way back into the game. Important turnovers from Harmer and Guy forced Beccles into the Upminster half. A searing run from Wade resulted in Harrisson being put in for a try in the corner.
Beccles continued to find momentum and from inside the Beccles half Harrisson found half a yard of space on the outside. A blistering 50-yard dash followed with Harrisson scoring under the posts.
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Ten minutes from half-time and Beccles took the lead. A strong platform from a Beccles line-out gave the backs the space to work the ball wide once more and Harrisson again ran over for his first-half hat-trick.
Beccles looked to be in control but a strong run from the Upminster centre resulted in a try under the posts, giving the home side a 24-19 half-time advantage.
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As the second half progressed a series of injuries caused momentum in the game to change. This meant the Beccles set-piece failed to find parity that they enjoyed in the first half, making it difficult for the backs to gain any front foot ball.
The pressure soon took its toll and with this Upminster clinically dispatched three tries without reply in a costly 10-minute spell.
A tiring Beccles side continued to leak tries despite some valiant defending from Payne and Adam. With the game coming to a close Beccles continued to play for an all-important four-try bonus point. After some patient build up the ball was fed to Harrisson who touched down his fourth try of the game. Wade slotted two from four conversions in testing conditions.
B&B Skip Hire man of the match went to Tom Harrisson who will be sorely missed by the Bulls as he continues his rugby journey in Italy for the rest of the season.
Beccles now have a week off before hosting Harlow at home on November 15.
