First XV

Ipswich v Canvey Island

A game that on paper should have been an easy win was disrupted by a determined effort from Canvey Island. Ipswich who had notched up 70 points in their last two games simply forgot what makes them good.

With ball in hand and running at speed the home side is a match for anyone in the league. So it was with some dismay that the spectators were treated to the “let’s make life difficult for ourselves show” in the first half. Having conceded three tries, 2 converted and scored two of their own, the coach’s half time team talk was vociferous to say the least… 14-19 half time.

The second half began badly for the home side, with Canvey extending their lead with a well taken penalty occasioning further ‘encouragement’ from the technical area. Finally Ipswich rediscovered their mojo and began to break play up. Hooker, Brad James made some notable runs and both he and Captain on the day, Chris Blom scored tries. Craig Burrows had his kicking boots on again and began to pull the score around. As the game began to ebb away from them Canvey struggled to keep up with the superior fitness of the home side who crossed the line with further tries from Tim Hopkins and Carlton Littlechild. The half’s closing minutes were marred by a head injury to scrum half John Lasbrey   who had to be helped off the field and was advised that he had been in a rugby match and that he was in Ipswich and no, there weren’t three club houses.

The final score of 39-27 was slightly flattering for Ipswich but once again they had posted nearly 40 points on their opponents. This underlines the strength of a team which given the ball at speed can be devastating.