BECCLES continue their quest for survival tomorrow as promotion-outsiders Chelmsford visit Beef Meadow.

Only two points separated the teams when they met earlier last month, when Chelmsford won 19-17 and this fixture is likely to be a close affair again.

Skipper Shaun Lake is expecting a tough battle up front as Chelmsford’s forwards seem to have been the driving force behind their team’s performance this season. With this in mind the return of lock Paul Wilson from injury will be welcomed along with a return of David Rix after a very short retirement. Rix has been a major player for Beccles over recent seasons and his physical presence will be a boost for the team.

In the backs, New Zealander Williamson returns to make up last season’s successful centre partnership with Wade. Who starts outside Sale at fly-half is still up for grabs, but the back three combination of Davey-Durak, Vasey-Lark and Rayner looks settled. Prior to the match a lunch sponsored by Sprake and Kingsley Solicitors takes place.

Canvey Island 19, Beccles 11

BECCLES’ run of point-scoring matches came to an end on Saturday at Canvey Island.

Canvey Island were promoted as runners-up to Beccles last season so Beccles knew what to expect travelling to a ground they had never won at. In the front five, Pitts and Paul Wilson were unavailable, so Porter and Holmes made the starting line up. With Baksza returning to Hungary there was a start in the back row for Hinsley. In the backs Murray returned at fly-half with Payne moving to centre.

Canvey started the game well and pinned Beccles back in their 22. They were held up twice over the line by Musker McIntyre Man-of-the-Match, Johnstone. Eventually the pressure told and they were able to crash over for a try. Another soon followed to extend their lead.

Beccles battled their way back and started to keep Canvey in their own half. When the ball was collected by Rayner at the back he chipped over the defence. Sale collected the ball and sprinted clear to score his second try in two games. Wade missed the conversion but Beccles kept the pressure on and won two penalties which Wade kicked to give a half-time score of 12-11.

In the second half Beccles showed some tight defence but eventually a couple of missed tackles let the Canvey fly-half in for a try under the posts. The conversion was added meaning that Beccles didn’t even have a bonus point for their efforts.

Beccles battled hard but struggled to get out of their own half as Canvey closed the game down well.

Beccles II 8, West Norfolk 28

A DEPLETED Beccles side travelled to West Norfolk in a game that was crucial for Beccles’ title hopes.

Beccles opened the scoring when, from a scrum, the ball was fed wide to Long who beat his man well to score in the corner, taking his tally to 18 for the season. The try was unconverted making the score 5-0 at half time.

West Norfolk made several changes and this paid dividends, scoring through their forwards. Immediately Beccles responded with three points from Harmer.

Knock found himself harshly in the bin for a dump tackle and late into the game, West Norfolk scored three tries in quick succession.

Beccles will hope to learn lessons from this game when they travel to Southwold tomorrow.

n BECCLES U13s took on the Fakenham U13 team last weekend.

Fakenham crossed the Beccles try line to score the first points of the match, but Beccles responded with a surging run from Evan Greene leading to a try for Ollie Turnell.

Unfortunately, the Beccles side lost their shape and there were too many handling errors, with Fakenham running in a number of unanswered tries.

Despite some excellent individual efforts form James McGregor, Sam Coyller, Russell Arnold and Hugh Begley, the Fakenham side crossed the Beccles try line time and time again to win 49-5.

Training takes place every Sunday morning at Beef Meadow, starting at 10am. For more information visit the club’s website at www.becclesrufc.co.uk or contact Tony Dyer on 07929 7613 05.