Norwich got their first league points of the season after a dramatic finish that saw the hosts turn the game on its head – and leave their visitors feeling hard done by.

Lowestoft and Yarmouth were leading 17-12 with time running out when they had a player sent off and then conceded a penalty try and a push-over score to lose the game.

Norwich dominated the early exchanges with Jordi Walker scoring in the corner in the first minute and then, following another break, providing a pass for fellow winger Acorn to score under the posts three minutes later. Rob Micklethwaite converted the second try and Norwich had a 12-0 lead.

Five minutes later it was Lowestoft's turn to score after a pick and drive by their forwards led to outside centre Matt Page making it 12-5. There was no further score until the 23rd minute when a surge through the 10 channel led to Jed Tearle going over to make it 12-10 at half-time.

The home team then reverted to their passing game but squandered a number of clear-cut chances.

The second half saw both sides failing to complete scoring chances and both had players yellow carded. Then Tearle broke free from a scrum after 28 minutes of the half and scored under the posts which was converted by Chris Beaird.

The visitors' lead was short lived as the referee, after a number of collapsed scrums near their line, lost patience and awarded a penalty try to Norwich which Micklethwaite converted, taking the score to 19-17.

This slender lead was maintained as Lowestoft missed two penalty chances to take the lead. Then, with two minutes to go, Lowestoft hooker Chris Howe received a second yellow card and was sent from the field.

The Norwich scrum took advantage of their superior numbers to score a push-over try by Darby in the last minute which Micklethwaite converted, securing a bonus point win for the home side.

Andy Pott