Mersea Island boosted their hopes of staying in division four with a vital 5-0 victory over Beccles plunging their opponents into relegation trouble.

The match was played in very strong winds and the difficult conditions dictated the limited style of play for both sides, with a Dave Bredin first-half try enough to separate them in this tense encounter.

Beccles started brightly, despite playing up the slope, and took advantage of the Islanders' lack of composure on the ball.

For all their territorial advantage the Islanders only came away with a try from number eight Bredin, following a controlled rolling maul.

Beccles, despite losing three players with nasty injuries, played with a great amount of spirit and defended bravely for the full 80 minutes.

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Published Tuesday, February 22, 2005

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