RUGBY: It’s crunch time for Beccles. They now have two games against the sides just above them in the table. They will need to come away with two wins to have any chance to escape relegation.
The first is against Old Streetonians tomorrow at Beef Meadow. With a VIP lunch before the game, a large crowd will be expected to cheer Beccles on.
Rochford 38, Beccles 13
Beccles were defeated by second-placed Rochford Hundred in the last of a run of three games against the sides at the top of the table.
The visitors fielded a young team which showed a lot of promise in places despite being beaten by 38-13.
Beccles had many of their senior players unavailable or rested and gave a chance to a number of the young second-team players who have been performing well.
In the pack, Holmes got his first start in the second row and Hewitt was brought into the back row. In the backs, Davey-Durak came into the centres and Long was given a debut on the wing.
Beccles did have some older heads on the bench with Payne, Warnes and Johnstone totalling over 100 years of experience.
Rochford started the game well and were soon in front after some weak tackling let them in for a try. Beccles battled back and got on the scoresheet with a Murray penalty. They then put pressure on the Rochford line and Lake powered his way over to score. Murray missed the conversion.
Beccles were putting Rochford under pressure, but missed tackles kept putting them on the back foot. Rochford took charge and ran in three more tries to secure a try bonus point and put them in charge of the match. This gave a half-time score of 24-8.
The second half was a lot more even. Rochford started with a try but Beccles then had a good spell of territory and possession. The line-out was going well with debutant Holmes – putting in a Musker McIntyre man-of-the-match performance – winning a lot of ball. The forwards drove the ball well and Baksza was driven over the line for his first try for the club. Rochford managed one more try before the end and the game finished 38-13.
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