Ipswich 5 Eton Manor 5

Match abandoned due to injured referee

Ipswich were on an even footing in an enthralling match against league leaders Eton Manor when a torn calf muscle to the referee stopped play at Humber Doucy Lane on Saturday.

Ipswich had started in explosive form, scoring after just three minutes following a lineout on the Eton Manor 22. South African winger Pierre Theron linked with mercurial flanker Cristoffel Blom who had player-coach Jeff Searle in support, with Blom finishing off the move to crash through the stunned visitors and score. Theron, who had taken over the kicking duties in the absence of Drew Locke, missed the conversion attempt.

Ipswich kept up the pressure, returning to the Manor half to send waves of attacks but the Londoners’ strong defence held the home side at bay.

A combination of penalties to the visitors brought their powerful forward pack within sniffing distance of the Ipswich line and suddenly the hunters became the hunted. Blom was sinbinned as the Ipswich pack, which had controlled the scrummage well, desperately tried to stifle the hard-mauling Manor forwards.

Fullback Sam Keeble-Taylor is snared by a flying tackle

Eton Manor prop Thomas Webb brought the visitors level when he took the credit for scoring in an unstoppable driving maul over Ipswich’s line.

Ipswich took the reins again and were battering into Eton Manors’ 22 when the referee lost his footing and tore his calf muscle, ending a titanic match.

TARGETED: South African winger Pierre Theron attempts to evade his Eton Manor opposite in Ipswich’s abandoned match, which was stopped with the teams deadlocked at 5-all. Photo: Dave Lintott.

AIRBORNE: Ipswich fullback Sam Keeble-Taylor is snared by a flying tackle during Saturday’s match, which was stopped after 26 minutes when the referee tore his calf muscle. Photo: Dave Lintott.

The clubs are attempting to replay the match this Saturday at 1.30pm before the England versus Wales Six Nations match and confirmation will appear in the local media and on the club website, www.ipswich-rugby.co.uk.

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