Ipswich 7 Colchester 8

Colchester kicked off against the wind allowing Ipswich flanker Cristoffel Blom to catch the ball and run straight at the Colchester defense making several meters. Simon Hughes took up the offload to continue the attack before passing left to Shaun Elbrow who scored on the left.

Mark Broughton converted for the extra 2 points. Ipswich were 7 - 0 up in the first 1 minute of play.

4 mins into the half Ipswich conceded a penalty just outside their own
22 metre area, Colchester fly half James Gee reduced the score margin by converting the penalty.

On 17 minutes Ipswich were reduced to 14 men when hooker Darrell Burchnall was sin binned for ruck infringement.

The match was starting to grind into a stalemate in the middle of the park with frustrating handling errors coming from both teams.

Ipswich were awarded a penalty on 22 minutes when Colchester forwards put hands into the ruck to deliberately slow down play. Although kicking with a tail wind Mark Broughton failed to convert a long 40 meter penalty.

Colchester awarded a penalty on 30 minutes when the Ipswich defense were deemed to have been offside inside their 22 meter area. Colchester's No10 James Gee kicked the ball wide of the posts.

Just before half time, Colchester won a lineout ball and drove a maul some 10 meters before No 4 Hardcastle broke to score in the far right corner. Although fly half James Gee missed the conversion kick the home team was narrowly ahead at half time 8 - 7.

After some stern words from coaches, Ipswich started the more aggressive team in the second half playing into the wind.

Within 4 minutes Ipswich were awarded a penalty just outside the 22 meter line, Mark Broughton failed to convert with the wind just pushing the ball wide of the posts.

The rest of the match deteriorated in the difficult conditions and Ipswich left very disappointed having let the match slip away by a one point margin. Ipswich will need to take a serious look at their own performance as simple mistakes let the game slip away.

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