Harlow
On a dry but breezy afternoon Ipswich received the kick-off running down the slope with all the elements in their favour, applied the early pressure.
Strong running driving maul and aggressive rucking found Ipswich camped in the hosts 5 metre area, only desperate kicking and panic stricken knock-ons prevented any score.
After all the early pressure, Ipswich pushed the self destruct button, missing first up tackles and allowing Harlow to gain ground with the ever present scrum-half Lee Harron dictating the play.
On 25 minutes of play from a long kick into touch the hosts snatched the Ipswich throw and drove across the line for prop forward Matt Branch to touch down in the left corner for the homeside, the conversion was missed. (5-0)
Almost from the restart Harlow increased their lead, when Ipswich were on the attack a wayward pass was intercepted by the Harlow backs and sprinted for the same left corner. Again the conversion was missed. (10-0).
Ipswich continued with the pressure and again found themselves camped deep in the Harlow half, from a 5 metre scrum No8 Nick Joseland picked and charged through the Harlow defence in the left corner. Mark Broughton missed the conversion. (10-5)
From the restart Ipswich failed again to grasp the game, but allowed the Harlow backs to run gaining several metres, from one attack the Harlow centre ran through 3 weak attempts of tackle to score under the posts on the stroke of halftime. The try was converted. (17-5)
Halftime: Harlow 17 Ipswich 5.
After stern words from Head Coach Aaron Brown, Ipswich kicked off attempting to turn the match around, however the Harlow scrum-half Lee Harron continued to stifle any attack by clearing long and deep. After 6 minutes Harlow again snatched an Ipswich lineout and 2 phases of play Lee Harron picked up and ran through the gaping defence to score under the posts for another converted try. (24-5).
Ipswich seemed to be in shock in how easy the opposition could breach their defence and in desperation Ipswich centre David Pulemagafa collected the ball inside the Harlow 22 running on a solo effort to cross the tryline left of the posts. Flyhalf Sam Corston missed the conversion. (25 -10)
5 minutes into the 2nd half Harlow put the game out of reach with a 5 metre scrum, the ball was popped up for No 17 Paul Eynon to cross the line. The try was converted to make the score Harlow 31 Ipswich 10.
Despite several attempts Ipswich failed to reduce the score and time ran out.
Final Score Harlow 31 Ipswich 10.
After the game Head Coach Aaron Brown was dismayed at the lacklustre performance, it was weak and certainly not a performance to be repeated.
That said, the players themselves believe they could not play that badly again if they tried.
Next week the players have a chance to redeem themselves when the entertain Romford & Gidea Park at Humber Doucy Lane, kick-off at 2.30pm.
The rest of the weekend results were -
BRAINTREE 5 - 18 THURROCK
ENFIELD IGNS 19 - 17 CHELMSFORD
ROMFORD & GP 15 - 10 NORWICH
SAFFRON WALDEN 27 - 20 COLCHESTER
SUDBURY 64 - 0 MERSEA ISL