A bracingly cold day was the backdrop for an enthralling game of Rugby that was passionate and skilful; a real blood and thunder Suffolk vs. Norfolk local derby. Both teams had come through some very difficult pool matches to make the semi-final and both felt confident of their ability to win and progress to the Final.
The omens for the success of our U17s were auspicious as the Minis had triumphed in the morning’s series of matches vs. our Friends from Sudbury at U7 – U12 age groups.
Our Boys were applauded onto the pitch by a strong crowd of supporters and cheered on through an “honour guard” of the entire squad of U11s and the Senior Coaches, 1st XV Captain Ryan and some of the players who had survived the previous night’s revelry having dispatched Beccles to a 70 point victory the day before.
The pitch, despite the previous day’s play and the overnight frost, was in absolute mint condition; a huge thank you to our excellent Groundsman Steve Flegg for coming in at 8 in the morning to work for 4 hours free of charge to prepare and re-mark the hallowed tuft, evidence once again of why he was honoured with an RFU Volunteer Award earlier in the season; great commitment that was a precursor for the effort of the Boys later.
The game itself was a wonderful spectacle in that there was a bit of everything for everybody; frenzied rucking and counter rucking that would have pleased the grizzled old men on the touchline, some sublime skills across the three quarters for the purists, some handbags as a series of off the balls niggles and late hits threatened to turn into a French style malaise. Punctuated throughout this was the collective effort of both sides to prevail and the odd heroic individual act that will be spoken about in the changing rooms for many months to come.
Wymondham started the game very well with their big and mobile pack driving up through the centre of the pitch. However, having absorbed this early pressure, Ipswich skipped the ball hrough a series of quick hands and support lines to put the Captain Will Davies away for an unconverted try.
As always Will led his team very well; his tackle count was impressive as was his passion and sheer willpower to carry his team of friends forward.
Wymondham showed good commitment to contest the re-start and force a scrambling Ipswich back row into getting caught with hands in the ruck which led to a penalty well converted by their # 10. However, exhorted on by their coaches and supporters, Ipswich was stung into a sustained passage of play that pulled Wymonham first one way and then another before creating the space for Harry Cullum’s pace on the right wing to sheer through some poor tackling and score in the corner; the difficult conversion attempt scooted just wide.
Disappointingly, Ipswich then failed to make their continued pressure count. A silky break by our bubbly # 9 from half way had him felled just short of the line and the arriving support players knocked on with the try line at their mercy. Similarly a couple of minutes later, Ipswich launched a sustained forward drive towards the left hand side of the Wymondham line. A ruck was formed but no-one took the ball on thus allowing Wmondham to come in and clear their lines…..a couple of set plays across the midfield and a neat cross pitch kick and nice bounce that sat up allowed the Wymondham right winger to skip through under the posts; the simple conversion ended the pulsating 1st half with the score lines ties at 10 points a piece.
Ipswich upped the intensity and some great pick and drive and support play allowed the team to open up a seven point lead when Simon Uzokwe broke clear from half way and accelerated past the cover defence to score under the posts; his try was duly converted by Harry Lewis.
The next 5 minutes of play in the second half was beset with niggles and off the ball late hits and shoves as both teams began to wind their efforts up to pull clear of one another; despite the same Wymondham forward blocking our # 10 in a kick and chase and then hitting a player without arms in the tackle it was an Ipswich player # 6 who was yellow carded for hitting a ruck from the side; we were 10 metres out from Wymondham’s try line so this was very disappointing on a number of fronts.
Down to 14 players and the strong Wymondham pack turned the screw and in a 10 minute spell Ipswich had to hold the ball up over their try line 3 times, defended manfully the resulting 5 metre scrums and had to defend 2 or 3 other penalties as Wymondham charged for the line for what was hoped would be a points equalling score.
With every one on one tackle being made and concerted pressure at the break down, Ollie Dyer was able to gather the ball on his 22 and kick over the midfield for a long chase up pitch, under pressure from two Wymondham players he kicked on again and chased the ball down to ground it over the try line despite the courageous and despairing chase and dive of the Wymondham fullback; Ollie’s 90 metre dash will live long in the memory.
At this point one could forgive both sides for allowing the game to peter out but much to Wymondham’s very great credit they came storming back, determined to make the last score. However, Ipswich’s defensive pattern held firm and our # 6 came back and made up for his absence with 3 back to back tackles that smashed Wymondham momentum; another big hit broke the ball lose and forward in the tackle; with the final whistle blown, the Ipswich players celebrated a hard won and well deserved 24 - 10 victory.
A huge team effort from every one of our Boys and as always a great well done to the dynamic coaching duo of Alan and Clive for continuing to shape a wonderful group of players….last year the Boys were RHS 7s, Suffolk Plate and Cup Champions; this season RHS 7s Champions and an EC Cup Final berth….so much expectation and hope….so much Courage, Glory, Honour and Pride !
The Final was drawn after the match and will be held @ HDL on Sunday 5th February vs Cambridge in what promises to be an equally absorbing contest; the Y&J and club are seeking to support our Boys with news to follow shortly.