The presence of Martin Johnson, the former England captain and coach, seemed to galvanise the hosts rather than Norwich, who despite playing some excellent rugby at times suffered another disappointing defeat.

Playing with the breeze in the first half it was East who were first out of the blocks, scoring a try after five minutes. Prop forward Steven Deszo went over but centre Connor Power could not add the conversion.

Norwich gradually started to put together some good phases of play, with backs and forwards taking the ball up to create chances.

But too often once they got inside the opposition's 22 the ball was lost or silly penalties were given away.

Just before half-time Norwich appeared to have scored a great try after Simon Darby had picked a great running line only to be brought back for a forward pass.

Norwich were totally in charge when, from a free-kick, East got the ball to right wing George Sanders who kicked ahead. The bounce eluded full back Jay O'Brien and Sanders gathered to score in the corner. Again Power failed with the conversion.

After half-time Norwich put East under huge pressure and were rewarded after 10 minutes with a try from Frenchman Yannick Pousse after a drive by the forwards. O'Brien added an excellent conversion.

Moments later a great break by scrum half Joe Srokowski was taken on by skipper Jonny Wheater and finished off superbly by left wing Dan Grohland, who scored half way out to give Norwich the lead for the first time in the match. O'Brien could not add the conversion.

Norwich should have secured the game at this stage but did not help themselves by giving away penalties and letting the opposition back in the game. With 10 minutes left East scored near the posts when Power went over.

With five minutes left the Norwich cause was not helped when Dougie Greenwood was yellow carded for an illegal tackle. In the final minute a loose pass was seized on by East scrum half Scott Sarson who ran in under the posts and this time Power made no mistake with the conversion to seal Norwich's fate.