After 5 weeks of not playing any competitive rugby Ipswich returned in great style giving high flying Braintree a ruthless lesson in hard, aggressive and positive rugby.

On a very heavy pitch from the recent snow and last nights rain, Ipswich were in positive mood to get back on the field and playing rugby, also to right a few wrongs from the defeat at Braintree back in October.

Braintree kicked off with Ipswich receiving the ball and mounting the first attack showing strong running and breaking through the gain line, however it was the long kicking of Braintree’s No10 Monk that created the opposition’s attack which after 2 phases finished off the move with a drop goal in front of the posts on 8 minutes of play. (0 – 3)

Ipswich went straight back on the attack with some fierce line breaking runs, only foul play at the ruck on the edge of the 22 prevented the attack progressing. Ipswich flyhalf Sam Corston slotted the penalty to make the score equal. (3 – 3)

The remainder of the first half was played out with no further score; however the penalty count against the visitors was well into the 20’s.
It was unfortunate the penalty kicks were out of  range for Ipswich to gain any score.

Halftime: Ipswich 3 Braintree 3.

Ipswich continued the second half with instructions from head coach Aaron Brown to continue the game plan, be clinical but not to rush things.
The instructions were carried out to the letter with some good ball retention and line running.
Ipswich were now applying pressure deep in the Braintree half allowing a steady platform for Sam Corston to receive the ball and drop kick through the posts for 3 easy points inside 3 minutes of play. (6 – 3)

Ipswich received from the restart and again took the game to Braintree forcing some desperate tackling, the home side continued deep into the visitors half, when again foul play halted the attack. Ipswich took a quick tap before offloading to Nick Joseland to crash through the defence line and score from 5 metres out in the left corner. Sam Corston failed with the conversion. (11 – 3)

Ipswich now in relentless mood with wave after wave of attack, the only way it appeared for Braintree to stop the attacks was to commit foul play and the penalty count started to mount again.
The Ipswich backs again ran the ball well setting up for the forwards to keep the momentum going and yet again the attack ground to a halt with illegal hands in the ruck, failing to roll away, after several warnings referee had no choice but send the offender to the sin bin.

On 16 minutes of play Ipswich went further ahead, again with excellent line running and quick ball from the ruck found Joseland on the charge from 6 metres out to finish off the move with fine try in the right corner of the field. Corston was just wide with the conversion. (16 -3).

The game was pretty much one way traffic, when Braintree did try to attack they were met with a solid and aggressive home defence, leading to frustrations boiling over in the opposition side. This again required the referee to talk to the captains to try and calm the situation.

In the last quarter of the game, Ipswich started off another attack down the left wing, forwards and backs linking well to retain the ball well inside Braintree’s 22, before again the play was stopped for infringement at the breakdown. A quick tap penalty was taken and Ipswich Captain Alex Primmer raced for the line unselfishly popping the ball up to flyhalf Sam Corston to touchdown in the left corner. Corston was well wide with conversion. (21 – 3)

From the restart Braintree’s replacement No20 totally lost control of his senses, chasing through to shoulder charge Ipswich’s Josh Todd without the ball.
For intentional dangerous play the referee had no choice but to show the red card.

The remainder of the game was played out with no further score, Ipswich Head Coach Aaron Brown and Ipswich officials were delighted with the teams performance especially after a 5 week layoff, Man of the Match was awarded to Sam Corston, but with everyone that took to the pitch putting such a sterling performances it was a difficult decision to make.

Final Score Ipswich 21 Braintree 3.

Next week Ipswich 1^st XV travel to Sudbury – Kick-off 2:15pm

The rest of the weekend's results were -

CHELMSFORD 16 - 20 HARLOW

COLCHESTER 11 - 3 ROMFORD & GP

NORWICH 15 - 16 SUDBURY

SAFFRON WALDEN 10 - 25 ENFIELD IGNS

THURROCK 67 - 10 MERSEA ISL