Campion 18 Ipswich 28

Ipswich passed a difficult examination at Campion to stay in the hunt near the top of London Division Three North East.

The visitors always looked the stronger side but a messy first half saw Ipswich behind 15-7 after sloppy play at key moments allowed Campion two tries, but the amber-and-blacks snapped out of their lethargy in the second half to record a valuable win which keeps Ipswich third in the table, one point behind Diss.

Prop Adam Schindler formed the foundation for a strong forward platform and winger Pierre Theron scored his first try for the club to keep Ipswich in touch during an awkward first half.

Five successful kicks from Drew Locke proved vital as Ipswich overcame the kicking bogeys which have prevented victory in the past two results.

Ipswich were down 7-0 after ten minutes when feeble tackling allowed the Campion number eight to run in unhindered from 25 metres out, the conversion a formality.

Quarter of an hour later Ipswich got back on even terms when blindside flanker Cristoffel Blom’s surging run fed the backline for fellow South African Theron to score, Locke converting.

Ipswich handled in the ruck to give Campion a penalty before handling errors gave the hosts turnover ball from which their left winger scored to give an eight-point cushion at the turnaround.

The second half had a different feel as Ipswich played up the slope with vigour, Gert Rossouw linking with the vibrant backline to score near the posts, although Locke missed the conversion.

A ruck infringement by Ipswich gifted Campion another three points but Ipswich started to turn the screw and Locke took the two penalties awarded as Campion struggled to contain the visitors, bringing the score even at 18-all.

Ipswich’s fitness was evident as they attacked from all over the pitch and soon Rossouw had scored his second try under the posts, taking them into the lead for the first time after 26 minutes.

The home forward pack conceded two more penalties as Ipswich ground them down, Locke converting one of his attempts and a potential banana-skin was avoided.

Ipswich now face the exciting task of hosting the league leaders, Eton Manor, at Humber Doucy Lane this Saturday.

Eton Manor won the earlier away match 23-10 but Ipswich will be confident of exacting revenge and closing the gap at the top.

Click on the Image for more pictures