Thetford secured the Eastern Counties League Division One title after a comprehensive 96-5 win over Beccles.
Beccles arrived and were clearly depleted and had only one sub to start the game. Thetford on the other hand looked strong and were boosted by the returning pair of ex-captain Ollie Taylor and influential fly half Rob Duchesne.
The game started and it was clear that Beccles were going to make Thetford work every point. The first 10 minutes past with no points being scored as Beccles, who had little ball, defended their hearts out.
Thetford’s top try scorer Will Martin scored the first points after a well worked backs move gave him the half gap he needed to get through and score. He was followed up shortly after by Josh Clark who combined with Martin to score from the half way line. The forwards worked hard to provide quick ball for the backs.
With so many threats in the back line Beccles were caught napping up front next, when the ball was fed to Jason Lumbard who bulldozed over to score his first try of the season. Beccles rallied and put Thetford under some pressure before turnover ball was shipped wide for Jacob O’Connor to race to the line to score his first for the club. The forwards were starting to get a head of steam and were stealing ball at both the scrum and line-out. The backs were ruthless in their attack and Thetford went in to the half 35-0 to the good.
Beccles struck first in the second half with a well worked try in the corner. After some choice words from Nigel Brown Thetford switched back on and heaped pressure on the tired Beccles team. The next 35 minutes Thetford scored 61 unanswered points with Martin getting four and the in-form full back Ryan Gardiner scored another hat-trick. The final try capped the game and his return off as Taylor received a well-timed pass from Chris Thomas and then stepped through to score. Thetford cannot switch off now as they have one more league game and two more cup games to win to top the season off as a great success.
The Heathens won a tight encounter against Wymondham III to keep their lead at the top of the table and are one win away from being crowned champions.
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