Basildon 5, Beccles 17: A young Beccles side went marching on at the top of London3NE when they won a tricky away game at third-placed Basildon. Beccles were without Payne, Paul Wilson and Hadridge and this gave starts to Calver, King and Scotchner.

Basildon 5, Beccles 17

A young Beccles side went marching on at the top of London3NE when they won a tricky away game at third-placed Basildon.

Beccles were without Payne, Paul Wilson and Hadridge and this gave starts to Calver, King and Scotchner. Veasy-Lark came in on the wing with Hoffman moving to the bench.

Basildon started the game well but the Beccles defence held out due to some good tackling, notably by Veasy-Lark. As Beccles began to get the bus trip out of their legs Rowney was unlucky not to open the scoring when he chipped over the top, hacked on the loose ball and touched down, with the referee adjudging him to have knocked on.

This was soon put right. A weak kick out of defence was collected by Rowney and he cut though the defence to score out wide. Wade added a good conversion to further stretch the lead.

Basildon started to push hard in the second half but the Beccles' back row were in charge of the game. Hinsley and Geyser were both putting in big tackles and Musker McIntyre man of the match Rix was stealing ball and putting in strong runs all over the pitch.

Basildon did get on the score sheet when the ball bounced between two Beccles defenders and their winger touched down in the corner.

The visitors had to up their game and were soon back in control with another try.

The ball was driven close to the line before being fed out to Rowney, who ran around the defence and under the posts to score. Wade added the conversion. The leaders then closed the game down and Wade extended their lead with a penalty.

Next week Beccles take a break from league action to travel to NorthWalsham in the NorfolkSenior Cup.