Three tries not enough for Swaffham at Broadland

Swaffham opened their Greene King Eastern Counties League campaign with a 29-24 defeat at Broadland.

Hopes were high and with a large travelling support they took to the pitch with a positive attitude. But Broadland had their own plans and, in a game which didn’t really get out of second gear, they were to come out winners.

Swaffham scored three tries (one for Hamilton and two from Windibank) and with Spencer kicking all his points (three conversions and a penalty) the final tally of 24 points was enough to snatch a losing bonus point away from home – which might prove priceless at the end of the season.

Swaffham weren’t at the standard they displayed in a pre-season which saw them beat both Wymondham’s 1st team and RAF Marham, so there is some re-focussing to be done before they return to North Pickenham Road on Saturday to play Felixstowe following a Vice-Presidents’ lunch.

It was a busy weekend at the club with mini and youth team training Sunday morning followed by a family funday with bouncy castles, games, stalls and many other attractions popping up on the pitches. The club also played host to the RFU staff, who helped out during the morning’s training and worked with the club looking at their plans for the season.

While this was going on the Colts team had their first run out of the season against a very organised Bury squad. In what was a very tough game Bury took the spoils but the Swaffham team can be proud of the performance they put in to hold the visitors to only three unconverted tries.

This squad had run in significantly more than this against a strong Norwich team the previous week.

nThetford opened their Eastern Counties League season with a 38-10 win over Felixstowe.