Diss Saracens 10 : 0 Beccles 2s

The Saracens were pushed hard by a typically combative Beccles team to reach the final of the Norfolk plate. With a number of the usual team called up to the firsts, the Saracens contained many third team regulars who stepped up and added greatly to the squad. After early pressure skipper Seb Goodge struck a long range drop goal to give the Saracens an early lead, thereafter the Beccles forwards attempted to score from a series of driving mauls and scrums in the Diss 22 but the Blue’s defence repeatedly kept them out with flankers Ben Fidler and Vic Garnham working tirelessly with Wilbur Hemmant, Raymond Knapp and the aggressive Benny Goodman.

The Beccles forwards continued to cause problems in the second half but the Diss team were making better use of possession when they got it and after a scintillating break by Ali Thomas and a powerful surge by Knapp the ball eventually came to Josh Monks to power over in the corner for a try in typical fashion with a clinical conversion by Goodge following. The Diss team were then reduced to 13 players after 2 yellow cards for repeated infringement by Padraig Coomber and a tiring Monks. Despite the disadvantage the Diss team were still able to keep Beccles at bay for remainder of the match with the tackle of the day coming from the diminutive Naz Girgin, on the wing instead of regular Ted Miller, who exploded into a dangerous Beccles counterattack and snubbed out the threat. A relieved Saracens team can now look forward to defending their cup title later in the season.

Report by Seb Goodge