Ipswich 22 Campion 11

Ipswich came back from a 6-0 halftime deficit to win their first league match of the season at Humber Doucy Lane on Saturday, when coach Jeff Searle’s stern half-time talk inspired victory over Campion.

First-half errors gave Campion the opportunities to score two penalty goals from the boot of flyhalf Paul Larner to worry Ipswich, who had several enforced changes and had even called up fullback Simon Hughes, who’s defence was outstanding.

Mark Broughton slotted a penalty after three minutes into the second half following Campion’s scrumhalf coming offside and earning a yellow card.

Kiwi prop Ben Louisson crossed the line for Ipswich only minutes later, with two defenders hanging off him from ten metres out. Broughton converted the try from the sideline and Ipswich finally had the lead the home crowd had been waiting for.

Half way through the spell the backline shipped the ball wide for Sean Elbrow to fly round the defence and score out wide. Broughton continued his outstanding form with another conversion to give Ipswich a 17-6 lead.

Ipswich lost size up front when hooker Darrell Burchnall got sinbinned for deliberate ruck infringement and Campion capitalized with a drive over the line to close the gap to 17-11.

Ipswich retaliated in style and Tom Aylott’s threw to captain Alex Primmer who scored out wide, with Broughton missing his first kick of the day to leave the final score 22-11.

The game featured the debut of New Zealand lock Kane Forrester, who partnered Jez Hannon in the second row, and the club awaits the return from injury of 10 first XV regulars: Mike Ward, Fraser Pratt, Geoff Searle, Jan Van Tonder, Christian Hadwen, Ollie Johnson, John Eley, Cristoffel Blom, John Clarke & Jason Clench.

Ipswich travel to local rivals Colchester this weekend.

The Ipswich Magpie continued their winning form with a solid 38-8 win at Woodbridge but the Ipswich Scorpions suffered a 20-0 defeat away to a strong Lakenham Hewitt side, who look the team to beat in National League One South East.

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