05-12-2009

Saffron Walden received the kick-off running from left to right with the slight breeze in their favour, showing early pace and quick hands in the backline. However it was Ipswich who had the first opportunity of scoring points when the Saffron Walden defence line was caught offside 30 metres out and right of the posts. Sam Corston was just short with the kick.

Both sides wanting to open up the game with running rugby and after 10 minutes of play a well worked miss pass in the Saffron Walden backline opened up the home defence for visitors’ flyhalf to run through the gap and score in the left corner for an unconverted try. (0-5)

Ipswich went on the attack looking for an opening and midway through the first half were awarded a penalty just inside the Saffron Walden 22 metre area for having hands in the ruck. Sam Corston slotted the ball through the uprights for 3 points. (3-5).

The game played at a frantic pace with both teams trying to make an opening, and both committing to some crunching tackles.
Saffron Walden scored the next points when they were awarded a penalty just outside the Ipswich 22 metre line, the visiting flyhalf made light work of the kick for 3 more points. (3-8).

Almost immediately Ipswich went on the attack and were awarded a penalty kick right in front of the posts when the opposition failed to roll away from the tackle. Ipswich’s Sam Corston kicked the 3 points and reduces the deficit. (6-8).

With only 3 minutes of the first half left, Saffron Walden launched another attack and again showing quick hands and pace added to missed first up tackles from the home side allowed the visitors left wing to score in the corner for an unconverted try.

Halftime Ipswich 6 Saffron Walden 13

The second half kicked off with Ipswich receiving the ball and applying the early pressure, again the visitors were penalised for killing the ball at the ruck, after several warnings the referee sent the Saffron Walden No 7 to the sin bin.
Sam Corston was wide of the uprights with the penalty kick.

Ipswich were now playing with more confidence and vigour applying more pressure on the visitors defence line, eventually the pressure told when from a quick tap penalty the ball was popped up to Nick Joseland who charged over the line from 5 metres out. Corston missed the conversion. (11-13).

Midway through the second half Saffron Walden were awarded a penalty on the edge of the Ipswich 22 metre line right in front of the posts, when the Ipswich defence encroached offside. Saffron Walden flyhalf kicked for the 3 points to increase the lead. (11–16).

This inspired the home team to raise their game and launch some ferocious running attacks after 3 phases a rolling maul was set up in front of the posts, charging over the line for Josh Todd to get the final touchdown. Sam Corston converted to put Ipswich in the lead. (18-16).

The final 12 minutes of the game ran out with attack and counter attack with no further score.
Final Score: Ipswich 18 Saffron Walden 16.

Ipswich Head Coach Aaron Brown congratulated the team after the game for rectifying the unforced errors of the first half and sticking to the game plan, which resulted in a justified home win.

Ipswich take on Colchester RFC next week at Colchester kick-off 3pm

The rest of the weekend's results were :-

BRAINTREE 10 - 21 ROMFORD & GP

MERSEA ISL 23 - 14 ENFIELD IGNS

NORWICH 18 - 20 COLCHESTER

SUDBURY 32 - 14 HARLOW

THURROCK 36 - 0 CHELMSFORD 

 

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