Beccles lost their crunch encounter against Sudbury to slip back into the London 2NE relegation zone with just one game left to play.

They left themselves with too much to do after conceding three first half tries against their fellow strugglers and must now win their final fixture to have any chance of avoiding the drop.

Beccles had a strong squad to choose from. In the forwards only Maeer was missing, with Hinsley replacing him in the starting line-up. In the backs Rayner failed a late fitness test so veteran Vipond had to be pulled out of the pre-match lunch to make up numbers on the bench.

The game was tight to begin with but it was Sudbury who opened the scoring when they capitalised on some weak Beccles tackling to score. They soon followed it up with another try out wide.

Beccles had Sale sinbinned and Sudbury took advantage of the extra man to run in another try. As the half came to a close Beccles began to put some pressure on the Sudbury line but some good defence kept them out and the half-time score was 19-0.

Beccles kept up the pressure in the second half, pinning Sudbury deep in their own half. After a number of drives at the line Sale dummied the defence and nipped over for a try. Wade added the conversion and then a penalty to reduce the deficit.

Beccles got themselves back in to the Sudbury half with a strong run by Musker McIntyre man of the match Davey-Durak. The visitors kept the pressure up and skipper Lake powered his way over for a try.

Beccles were within a score now but as they pushed for the win Sudbury were able to break out of defence and they added a final try to seal their victory.

The battle for survival is now out of the hands of Beccles. They need to win their final game at home to Saffron Walden in two weeks time and hope that one of the two teams above them, Old Streetonians and Sudbury, lose against Harlow at home and Ipswich away respectively.