Despite the score line this was not the one-sided affair that the points may indicate and it was Burnham who started the stronger with confidence and for about 20 minutes had all the possession.

It was only strong defence by Beccles and handling errors at crucial moments that kept Burnham out.

However, it was Beccles who scored first as they broke out from their own lines to take the score to 7-0.

Burnham were soon on the attack again and were rewarded with a penalty in front of the posts which captain Wilson wisely decided to get Longley to kick for the points to bring the score to 7-3 and keep Burnham in the game.

Unfortunately Beccles had other ideas and despite tackling by the Burnham backs of Allen, Lawrence and Carrington, Beccles' well drilled backs were able to produce overlaps to run in a succession of tries leaving the Burnham wingers of Barclay and Lovell and full-back, Longley, with just too many players to tackle.

Then disaster after a scrum collapse, prop Puxley was forced to leave the field with a shoulder injury with new boy White coming on to replace him and in fact doing a fine job.

This setback was shortly followed by another when Burnham's "Blakey" had to hobble off which meant a further reshuffle.

Burnham then closed down the game and reduced the try rate.

At half time with tight head prop Clarke carrying an injury it was decided to bring on Hylands to second row with Hart while moving Earing from second row to prop and replace Clarke.

However, despite all the changes forced on Burnham during the second half the Burnham pack started to take more of Beccles scrums with determined Hooking from man of match brash and with both teams forwards striving for supremacy in the scrums it was now the Beccles Hooker who had to leave the field injured.

Burnham then started, albeit too late, to come back into the game and with a strong run by Hylands near the Beccles line and Nev Murray reclaiming the ball from the resultant ruck, Earing picked up the loose ball to drive laying it off to Andrew Murray at scrum half who then passed the ball out to Barcley running in at pace to get Burnham's try in the corner.

Despite the loss a positive first team manager Limpenny said: "We may be out the Vase but at least the team didn't give up and it means that we can now fully concentrate on our league campaign this year.

"Although it is a major concern that we have picked up some injuries to key players, and which makes a number of them doubtful for this week,''

's home league fixture against Millwall, with depth of the club it does at least give opportunity for the up and coming players at Burnham to take a first team place and develop their playing career.

On Saturday, Burnham I are at home to Millwall I and Burnham II away against Millwall II.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.