Ipswich 55 Campion 0

Ipswich 41 - 19 Stowmarket

Saturday 2nd February 2008

Ipswich, as Cup holders, approached this game against near neighbours Stowmarket who are in E.C.1. two leagues below them with some considerable expectation to reach the Final and this was achieved as the score suggests by a good margin, scoring seven tries.
The match kicked off early , to enable the players to see the England v Wales match afterwards. with Ipswich opting
to play with the slope and strong wind and were soon camped on the Visitors line. From a lineout the ball the went loose and David Schindler, the Ipswich hooker, reacted first to grab the ball and dive over for the first score in the left
corner. Mark Broughton who was made Captain for the day , club Skipper Geoff Searle being rested, was unable to convert (5 - 0).

Ipswich came back again from the restart with their forwards being dominant and Schindler scored his and the home side's second try out on the right which again was not converted (10 - 0). Ipswich scored two more tries, the first after a kick and chase by 'Man of the Match' winger Ryan Potkins who gathered the ball and passed to fellow wing Tim Hopkins who scored in the right corner and who scored the next after a three quarter passing move enabled hime to outpace his opposite number to score again on the right. Mark Broughton in difficult conditions kicked both (24 - 0).

The last five minutes of the half saw scrum half Ben Goodall sent off for back chat to the referee when his side were on the attack and from the resulting penalty Stowmarket got into the Ipswich half. Good possession from a maul and quick passes saw the outside centre with space side step and dummy his way from near half way through the Ipswich defence to score an excellent try by the posts for Clark to convert (24 - 7).

Half time.

Ipswich now playing against the fierce cross wind continued to apply pressure with some powerful forward running making several metres with each phase. Another score materialised after seven minutes. from this pressure when the Aussie loose head prop Morgan Basham charged through the Stowmarket defence with two would be tacklers hanging on and crossed the line to touch down just left of the posts, Mark Broughton converted the try (31 – 7).

From the restart Stowmarket kicked long and re-gathered the ball recycling to the speedy outside centre to again show his pace and score under the posts Clarke converted (31-14).

Ipswich continued to control all areas of this game but a combination of the visitors defence and wrong options prevented further scores until on 22 minutes from a Stowmarket Scrum inside their own 22 metre area the ball was stolen by Ipswich Scrumhalf Ben Goodall who made it to within 3 metres of the line leaving Martyn (chops) Dunsdon to pick up and power over just right of the uprights, Mark Broughton missed the conversion(36 - 12).

Stowmarket came back at Ipswich who perhaps took the foot off the pedal and scored to the left of the posts which was unconverted. From the restart Ipswich Kicked and gatherd the Ball with James Blyth breaking the defence and charging for the line, Ryan Potkins in support received the ball to finish the move on the left side of the park, Mark Broughton missed the conversion (41 - 19).

Ipswich Return to League action this week when they entertain Rochford at Humber Doucy Lane, Kick off 2.30pm which is preceeded by lunch.

Having won the semi final of the Suffolk Chadacre Cup the final will be played at Humber Doucy Lane on Sunday 24th February, kick off 3.00pm against Bury St Edmonds and it is hoped that you will all come and support the team on the day as Bury genrally bring a large following with them so make a date in your diary.