BECCLES Rugby Club kicked off their new season in a 10-a-side tournament at Broadland. Beccles fielded a young team with a few more experienced players.

BECCLES Rugby Club kicked off their new season in a 10-a-side tournament at Broadland. Beccles fielded a young team with a few more experienced players. After a slow start they finished runners-up.

Beccles started with only 10 players so were unable to take advantage of the rolling subs rule.

They drew 0-0 against an Army side.

Against L&Y Firsts, Beccles went ahead with a fine try by Pennington, but L&Y scored two tries to win. Beccles had to beat Broadland to go through to the semi-finals. They went ahead through a Dyer try. Broadland equalised before Beccles went back into the lead with another well-worked try.

In the semis Beccles faced a good Woodbridge side who took the lead but equalised with an opportunist try by captain Johnstone, then clinched the game when Kiernan sprinted clear to touch down in the corner.

In the final, L&Y took the lead but Beccles equalised when Johnstone scored his second of the afternoon under the posts.

In the second half the small Beccles squad began to tire and L&Y added two tries to clinch the final.

Beccles have their first 15-a-side game this week with a squad match against Norwich. All the players will be given a chance to stake their claim for the coming season.

The game will be followed by a barbecue and an 'inflatable duel challenge' sponsored by the Caxton Arms. This starts at 4pm after the game and all are welcome.