Mersea Island
At last Ipswich ground out a win in front of a large home crowd, but didn’t have everything their own way in this bottom of the table tussle.
Prior to the game starting there was a 1 minutes silence in memory of the Keith Harris who passed away suddenly on the 25th September, a former player and secretary of the club.
The game kicked off with Ipswich making good use of the strong breeze pinning Mersea deep into their own half. Within 1 minute of play Ipswich had crossed the tryline but for the try to be ruled out when it was deemed that the Ipswich wing had clipped the touchline.
After 11 minutes of pressure, Ipswich were awarded a penalty on the edge of the 22 metre line for hands in the ruck. No10 Sam Corston kicked the 3 points. (3-0).
Straight from the restart Ipswich went on the attack with wing Travis Kenny and fullback Ryan Potkins linking well down the right wing. The ball was kicked forward for Ryan Potkins to chase and ground just right of the uprights. Sam Corston converted for the extra 2 points. (10-0).
Mersea Island started to settle after the early pressure and enjoyed some good position thanks to their much heavier forwards, from a 5 metre lineout the ball was gathered for a driving maul which the home forwards could not halt, allowing an easy try in the far right corner. The try went unconverted. (10-5)
Within 4 minutes of the restart Ipswich extended the lead, applying pressure and forcing the visitors to give away penalties within easy range of goal kicker Sam Corston. On this occasion the visitors were caught infringing at the side of the ruck from 26 metres out. (13 – 5)
Halftime: Ipswich 13 Mersea Island 5
The second half kicked off with Mersea kicking long into the Ipswich half applying pressure, only resolute tackling kept the visitors at bay.
After 18 minutes of play Mersea reduced the deficit with a try again the forwards winning good ball before passing out for the big replacement centre to score in the left corner. The conversion was missed. (13-10).
The remainder of the game seemed to be panic rugby with both sides kicking away hard earned possession.
With only 8 minutes of play left Ipswich had the opportunity to stretch the lead with a penalty 25 metres out on the right side of the field, on this occasion Sam Corston was just wide of the uprights.
The game finished with uncontested scrums with only 1 minute of play left when hooker Gavin Ball had to retire with a leg injury. An error by the referee instructed that the last scrummage of the game must go uncontested despite being replaced with a qualified front row forward.
Final whistle went and Ipswich had won their first game of the season.
Fulltime: Ipswich 13 Mersea Island 10
Head coach Aaron Brown said after the match that he was happy to at last get a win, but at the same time disappointed that the game plan was thrown out of the window in the second half. Had we stuck to the game plan the win would have been much much easier.
The defence was good and solid for most of the match; we must build from here and go forward. Man of the Match was awarded to prop forward Dean Woodgate for his play in the out field in defence and ruck ball.
Next week Ipswich 1st XV are away to Braintree.
The rest of the weekend's league results were -
CHELMSFORD 19 - 30 SUDBURY
COLCHESTER 41 - 12 HARLOW
NORWICH 10 - 19 BRAINTREE
SAFFRON WALDEN 25 - 12 ROMFORD & GP
THURROCK 44 - 13 ENFIELD IGNS