Beccles' run of five-point scoring matches came to an end on Saturday when they were beaten in Essex.

Canvey Island were promoted to Division 2NE as runners-up to Beccles last season so the visitors 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 while Murray returned at fly-half, with Payne moving to centre.

Canvey started well, pinning Beccles back in their 22, and 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, with another soon following.

Beccles gradually battled their way back in to the game and started to keep Canvey in their own half. When the ball was collected by Rayner at the back he chipped over the defence and Sale 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 make the half-time score of 12-11.

Beccles had a good spell at the start of the second half and had two scrums right on the Canvey line but couldn't quite manage to force themselves over.

As the half moved on Canvey began to up their game and move in to the Beccles 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 to get a score to get back in to the game but found it difficult to get out of their own half and Canvey closed the game down well.

Beccles host Chelmsford on Saturday and after narrowly losing there a couple of weeks ago will be looking to turn the result around at home and get the win that would go a long way to ensuring survival. The penultimate VP lunch of the season is before the game.