BECCLES made the long trip up to Bradfield in desperate need of points, and came away with a losing draw, a good result considering they were down to 10 men before the game.

BECCLES made the long trip up to Bradfield in desperate need of points, and came away with a losing draw, a good result considering they were down to 10 men before the game.

Tony Wright and Jon Puxley came into the team to cover for David and Richard Turrell.

Town skipper Sydenham lost the toss and the hosts decided to bat on a bitterly cold day where rain was bound to play its part in the game.

Bradfield made a solid start, putting on 41 for the first wicket before Fisher bowled a good bouncer, and a smart catch from George got rid of Amies.

The introduction or Ruddock stemmed the flow of runs, and wickets came with Ruddock (one), George (three) and Fisher picking up one more. Bradfield finally declared with three overs to go on 235 for six, giving Beccles 53 overs to reach the target, but crucially with only nine wickets to play with.

This was a good effort from town, particularly with part-time bowlers such as Clemence, Wright and Richard Porter having to be called upon. Beccles, however, started positively with Sydenham and Puxley against the lively Robinson on the hard Bradfield wicket.

Puxley edged behind with the score on 29, bringing Rob Porter to the crease.

He and Sydenham continued to put the bad ball away, before Rob Porter's stumps felt the force of Robinson's effort ball, middle stump cart-wheeling out of the ground.

Sydenham and Clemence fell in quick succession, leaving Beccles in trouble on 62 for four. However, Richard Porter and the dependable Ruddock steadied the ship, Porter hitting the new fish pond with a straight six early in his knock of 33.

When he had gone, all-rounder Freddy Fisher came in and played in his usual aggressive style, he and Ruddock building a match-saving partnership of 47, before Fisher picked out the boundary fielder after an excellent 32.

This brought in George, who batted well with Ruddock, and then Wright which got Beccles to the magic 90 per cent losing draw, and a decent share of the points, and many positives to take out of the game.

Beccles take on Norwich at home next, with a result needed for both sides who are struggling at the wrong end of the table.