LONDON 3NE Stowmarket7 Beccles10 This was a missed opportunity for Stowmarket as they dominated possession but failed to put together any real sequences of controlled attacks to break down a stubborn and well-organised Beccles defence.

That they only scored one try all match, and that a break-a-way from their own 22, highlights the poor decision-making by the pivotal positions and lack of coherence in game structure.

Stowmarket went 7-0 down in the first half, much against the run of play, but Beccles had a good and disruptive line-out and a scrum that the referee got away with standing up.

There were then whole passages of play when Stow had territory and possession but managed to throw inaccurate passes, knock-on or just fumble in the tackle. It created a disjointed game that suited Beccles who were keen for many set-pieces and the time to keep reorganising their defensive line.

After half-time Stow conceded a quick penalty that Beccles kicked.

But from a messy line-out in their own 22 Stow attacked first through Dan Garrard at 10, who attacked the large space outside his opposite number and then as the passes moved, to the right wing with new boy Tamati Hauraki-Tyrell.

He ran strongly up the line and when finally brought to a halt found excellent support from Charlie Eaton, who made the final 30 metres for a brilliant score.

Garrard converted and it left Stow 30 minutes to work a win.

They had opportunities with five penalties in Beccles’ half, at least two of them kickable, but Stow chose to pursue tries.

They faltered with bad handling, bad kicks and poor support.

Even with a one man advantage for the final 10 minutes they failed to break down Beccles.