Westcliff 20 - Ipswich 13  

Saturday 12th January 2008

This match having been postponed from last week due to the Ipswich squad having many players down with a sickness bug it was pleasing that most were recovered and available for selection,  To travel to the home of League leaders Westcliff with anything other than the best squad would have been a recipe for a heavy defeat.
With some better training attendance and Skipper Searle calling for his players to earn some respect Ipswich went on to the pitch in better heart than perhaps in previous games.  Westcliff played with the strong wind in the first half and the visitors could expect to be put under pressure but the forwards got into the game on a positive note and the home pack found themselves under pressure in the opening few minutes but as in previous games a mistake at a ruck allowed the Westcliff number 10 to kick a penalty (3 - 0) and then  in spite of Ipswich appplying some pressure and moving forward managed to lose the ball and the very speedy home backs got possession and a transfer to the right wing saw their No 14 break to score under the posts.

The conversion was successful ( 10 -0) and the home crowd were sensing an easy victory which looked to be confirmed when half way through the first period another promising move by Ipswich inside the Westcliff territory ended with a fumbled pass which Westcliff seized on and ran in another try under the posts which was converted (17 - 0). So the visitors were on the rack but this side on the day were giving their all and the Ipswich pack were in the ascendancy, forcing errors  from the home side . From one such penalty award and the resulting line out Ipswich drove to the line for skipper Searle  to score near the posts but stand in kicker, Mark Broughton being absent, Chris Hadwen was unable to add the conversion(17 - 5).
Ipswich against the elements were enjoying much possission and from another attack just before half time  Ben Goodall picked up at a five metre scrum and dived over again close to the posts but the kick failed(17 -10).

Just before the half time whistle Ben Goodall was yellow carded for use of the boot at a ruck.
To turn round one score adrift against the league leaders was an excelllent performance and with the strong wind in their favour Ipswich were the favourites and it was the turn of the home crowd to be concerned.  With 14 men Ipswich went on the attack but again were not to make the most of their possession with the home defence being very resolute and a penalty award on the 22 metre line hitting the post and rebounding to safety.   Perhaps its churlish to comment but a change of game plan when back to full strength using a 9/10 man game
may have had its rewards for the Ipswich pack were dominant.
On half an hour Westcliff on a rare foray into the Ipswich half an penalty  awarded for a high tackle resulted in a successful penalty with a good kick against the wind from 30 metres  putting the home side two scores in front (20 - 10) .  As previous games Ipswich were now playing catch up but with the elements and forward ascendancy on this occasion  with only a slip(or trip) preventing Shawn Elbrow from a probable score on the left an improbable win was still on the cards.  With eight minutes to go a penalty award was at last successfully converted by Chris Hadwen (20 - 13).
Unfortunately it was not to be and the home side held on for victrory and the visitors left to contemplate what might have been - giving their opponents a 10 point start and three kicks going astray.    But heads up it was good to see the Ipswich side performing and really making a  game of it.
A repeat next week at home to Brentwood must now be  faced with renewed confidence so come along and give your support - kick off 2.15pm with a lunch beforehand  at 12.30.  See you there!!

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