Beccles 26 Wanstead 32

Beccles were made to rue simple mistakes in a closely-fought defeat to Wanstead. Wanstead twice used the inside ball from fly-half to good effect, resulting in two quick tries to take an early lead. Beccles came back into the game with use of a solid scrum platform, but the too many handling errors gifted the ball back to the visitors. Wade added three penalties and Wanstead slotted two to make the half-time score 18-9.

The second half was a scrappy affair in which neither side could gain any continuity. The breakthrough came when Evans found Tieuti running a hard line in midfield, the Tongan fending off three tacklers before touching down under the posts. Wanstead replied with a try soon after, the No 8 taking advantage of a loose ball in the 22 to crash over under the posts. Harrison got his try tally off the mark when he found himself on the receiving end of a fine offload from Evans five metres out.

Wanstead took advantage of several infringements at the breakdown and slotted two further penalties. Ten minutes from time Wade added a penalty to give Beccles hope, but sadly this was to be in vein. B&B Skip Hire man of the match went to Reece Ling for a tremendous game in the scrum and the loose. On Saturday Beccles host local rivals Lowestoft and Yarmouth in what promises to be a closely-fought encounter.