Ipswich Scorpions enter regional trials

Four players from the Ipswich Scorpions have entered into the regional trials at Harlow Rugby Club this Sunday.

Seventeen-year-old Jessica Fletcher, Pippa Marshall (19), Vicky Archer (21) and Amanda-Jayne Jennings (23) have all been nominated to compete in the trial for the Eastern Region.

The four players face tough opposition as Premiership Two side Old Albanians have a large number of players entered and much of the selection is determined beforehand, with the trials a final look over the pool of players available.

Inside centre Fletcher has shown a lot of potential since coming into the squad this season and her loss through injury against Lakenham Hewitt on Sunday was a blow to the Scorpions.

Marshall, in only her second season at Ipswich, has been a regular starter in the first XV and is an athletic and versatile back who can play any position in the backline well, while specialising at scrumhalf.

Archer currently plays for University of Essex and is a regular player-of-the-match for both the varsity side and the Scorpions. Her tactical kicking from flyhalf and aggressive defence has seen her rise to a commanding position within the Scorpions squad.

Jennings has developed into a passionate utility forward who is currently learning the fine art of the front row. Her social organisation skills and commitment give her a unique status at Ipswich Rugby Club.

Three new players are involved in the playing squad at Ipswich.

Canadian Irene Borecky, from Oakville in Ontario, started training on Tuesday and is a versatile forward who has experience at prop, number eight and hooker. The thirty-year-old teacher, who travels from Thurston, is also a qualified athletic therapist and will be able to help new physio Charlotte Miller during the second half of the season.

Cat Ludwig and Eleri Williams, both doctors, also join the playing section of the squad, with Ludwig having been involved for several months but having limited availability due to work commitments. Williams, who works in Norfolk, joined the squad a week ago and is an experienced outside back.

“The new faces are encouraging but we still need to find balance in the backline,” said head coach Dave Lintott. “We are looking at players in different positions and the return of Paula Donnelly-Downs and Priscilla Todd for the Harlequins match on January 7th, alongside the new players in the squad, gives us a number of options.”

Ipswich must win two of their three home matches against Harlequins, Folkestone and Chesham to be sure of survival in National League One South East, though the presence of Wasps II, who will be returned to Premiership Two at the end of this World Cup season, may change the regular relegation format.

Click on the Image for more pictures