Norwich
A disastrous start to the 2009/10 season continues with 6 forced team changes from the previous week because of injuries and business commitments.
With the changes in key positions Ipswich started the more positive camping in the Norwich 22 metre are for the majority of the first quarter. Only the final pass and handle errors prevented points being scored.
With Ipswich’s failure to score points from the early pressure inspired Norwich into action, forcing the ball up field and earning a penalty on the edge of the 22 in front of the posts for an offside infringement. No15 Rob Micklethwaite kicked the easy 3 points.
With points on the board Norwich moved up a gear, Ipswich failed in most departments to match them and just after 20 minutes of play the Norwich No10 Joshives received the ball in mid field and went off on zigzagging run through the slack defence to score under the posts. Micklethwaite again converted the easy kick. (10 -0)
To add to the Ipswich plight No 8 Nick Joseland had to retire from the game with a knee injury which meant a further re-structure of the pack.
With only 3 minutes of play before halftime Norwich went further ahead from Norwich lineout on the Ipswich 22, the ball was passed out wide for No15 Micklethwaite to run onto at pace to score in the left corner. Micklethwaite failed to convert his try. (15 – 0)
With only seconds to play before halftime, Norwich were awarded a scrum inside the Ipswich 22, the scrum collapsed and Norwich were awarded a free kick; from a quick tap the ball was popped up for No 15 Micklethwaite run onto and cross the line. Micklethwaite missed the conversion.
HALFTIME: Norwich 20 Ipswich 0
After some stern words from Head Coach Aaron Brown and skipper Nick Rush the second half kicked off.
The stern words fell on deaf ears with not even 40 seconds on the clock, Norwich overturned the kick-off and again No15 Micklethwaite collected and ran through some woeful tackling to score under the posts, going on to convert the try. (27 – 0)
With 2 minutes on the clock Norwich had crossed the line again, fortunately on this occasion the Norwich winger had put his foot in touch.
5 minutes into the second half Norwich increase the lead with a penalty with defence being caught offside. No15 Micklethwaite again kicked the 3 points on offer. (30 – 0)
Halfway through the second half Ipswich managed to get the ball to the backs and pass out wide for Ipswich winger Jermaine Watson to show his pace, easily running around the defence to score close to the posts. Tim Lloyd converted for the extra 2 points. (30 – 7).
Shortly after Ipswich debutant loosehead prop David Wright had to leave the field with what looked like a serious ankle injury.
This turned out to be a bad sprain but never the less adding to the long list of injuries within the squad.
Ipswich then went down to 14 men when Woodley was sin binned for going into the side of the ruck.
With just 10 minutes of play left Norwich opened up the Ipswich defence again with some fast pace, No13 Gareth Flack finishing off the try. Micklethwaite converted making his personal tally 27 points. ( 37 – 7)
On the stroke of fulltime Norwich managed again to break through the defence line on mass allowing No12 Doug Greenwood to score in the left corner. The conversion was missed.
Final Score: Norwich 42 Ipswich 7
After the game Head Coach Aaron Brown stated that despite the many changes forced upon us, we should still have got something from this game and was personally disappointed with some individual efforts, slack defence and commitment around the ball. There’s much to work on during training before our next fixture on Saturday against Thurrock. 3PM kick-off.
On a more positive note, Ipswich Magpies travelled to Mersea Island with a depleted squad of 13 players due the 1st XV absences, and came back with a resounding 30 points to 22 victory.
The rest of the league results were -
CHELMSFORD 43 - 7 MERSEA ISL
COLCHESTER 61 - 12 BRAINTREE
ENFIELD IGN 3 - 22 HARLOW
SAFFRON WALDON 7 - 42 SUDBURY
THURROCK 50 - 13 ROMFORD & GP