Chelmsford 17 - Ipswich 13
 
Saturday 1st December 2007

Ipswich travelled to Chelmsford last Saturday knowing that anything other than a win against a side
with only one win to their credit would put them firmly in the relegation area. The squad needed to be fired up especially as their opponents officailly opened their new and very smart clubhouse, irreverently nicknamed the Chicken shed by the visitors.

IThe home side started the game more positively as to why Ipswich, having won the toss,
elected to play up the slope and againt a strong wind really was incomphrehensible and handed their opponents the advantage which was taken with two scores in the first ten minutes. The first  almost straight from the kick off, Ipswich conceeded a penalty for handling in the ruck on their 22 metre line which was kicked and  the second five minutes later when in trying misguidedly to kick out of defence in such a strong wind were punished with Chelmsford running the ball backthrough some weak Ipswich tackles to score in the corner. The conversion was successful (10 - 0).

Somehow Ipswich managed to keep their line intact through a combination of some good defence but also their opponents making unforced errors.  On the half an hour Ipswich managed  to get within range of their opponents line and were awarded a penalty at a ruck in front of the posts which Mark Broughton converted with a fine kick against the elements to put his side on the score sheet (10 - 3). 

The quality of the play by both sides was poor and although the elements could be blamed in part for this the ball was dry but basic errors persisted and certainly Ipswich were also guilty of giving away too many penalties so putting themselves under pressure  The Chelmsford pack were gaining
the upper hand at the tight and in the rucks. The final score of the first half came from broken play  when the Chelmford full back evaded some poor tackling to score on the right which was converted Half Time (17-3).

Turning round to play with the wind and slope the Coach Aaron Brown gave the team the tactics to kick long for position which not only sets up scoring opportunities but kept the opposition on the defensive. From the Ipswich kick off the forwards managed to keep their opponent from gaining ground and were awarded a penalty for not releasing in the tackle which Broughton kicked to bring the visitors within two scores (17 - 6).
For some reason Ipswich disregarded their game plan and allowed Chelmsford to get into their half and instead of using the long kick either tried to run the ball or make a short kick which the home side were able to contain particularly as the Chelmsford forwards were in the ascendency.  

So the game stagnated with the same silly errors and it was frustrating to watch. It was only with five minutes remaining that Ipswich managed to run the ball and hold their passes enabling Geoff Searle to break the last tackle  for a score under the posts which was converted(17 - 13).

Ipswich as the previous week woke up for the last minutes of the game and were camped  in the Chelmsford 22 but were frustratesd by tight scrums being reformed after collapsing or wheeling through 90 degrees rather than any penalty award.  So the final whistle was blown and Ipswich had to reflect on what might have been had they used the elements in the first half rather than the tiring option taken.
The result leaves Ipswich firmly in the relegation area with 6 points Chelmsford 4  and Colchester 2 points.

The next league game is not until 15 December which is another relegation battle against Colchester at home Kick-off 2.15pm.

There is a lunch before hand which it is hoped will be well attended as Colchester will bring several alakadoos and with the importance of the game your support is really needed so do come along.

Next Satruday Ipswich play Woodbridge in the Suffolk Cup at Woodbridge. Kick-Off 2.15pm It is to be hoped that Ipswich can gain much needed confidence with a substantial win over their opponents who like us are not having a great season in Eastern Counties One1.

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