The Chadacre Cup

Woodbridge 0 - Ipswich 25

Saturday 8th December 2007

 The match last Saturday was played in apalling conditions with high winds and incessant rain alternating betweeen heavy and torrential.  In a reversal from the previous week Ipswich lost the toss and had to play against the elements in the first half but against Woodbridge, who are two leagues below us the Ipswich pack soon asserted their authority so with Options for the backs few and far between it was from the line outs, rucks and mauls near to their opponents line that gave Ipswich the scoring opportunities and five tries were scored without replly.   

Mark Broughton could be forgiven for failing to convert any of them in such appauling conditions. In the first half the opening score after 13 minutes was from a five metre line-out and the resulting maul saw James Blyth touch down on the right.
this was followed by a brace from Shawn Elbrow, the first after 22 minutes when a rare passing move from a ruck on the 22 saw a miss pass from Broughton to Hadwen saw the latter drag the last defender out with him and slip the ball back to Elbrow to touch down on the left.  His second just before half time was from a rollling maul down the centre drawing in the Woodbridge pack and allowing the backs space to run at pace for Elbrow to socre again on the left corner. (Half Time 0 - 15)
With the elements making any back handling decidedly hazardous the second half was as the first with territory being gained by a kick or the forwards mauling and rucking successfully.  Ipswich were much more adapt so preventing any Woodbridge score and adding two further tries.

The first  from a five metre lineout with Geoff Searle restored to the back row crashing over after twenty two minutes and on the half hour stand in scrum half Ian Fraser for the unavailable Ben Goodall sold a dummy at the base of a ruck and jinked his way over the line for the final try (0 - 25).
It is hoped that this success in the Cup will bring more confirdence to the squad for the relegation clash next Saturday when the visitors are Colchester, Kick-off 2.15pm there is a prematch lunch at 12.45 which it is hoped will be well attended.
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