Season Opener

Ipswich secured a great winning start to the season over Epping Upper Clapton but it was well into over-time before they were ahead. With two great tries in time added they secured a bonus point victory, but for the home supporters it was far from comfortable until the final minute. Undoubtedly the final score of 33-22 fails to capture just how nail bitingly close the contest was.

Training has gone very well for Ipswich in the close season and Ipswich’s new Head Coach, Nick Greenall, was positive but cautious as both matches over Epping had been tight affairs last season, “the boys have worked hard and well over Summer so we are optimistic, but this is our first real test.”

Ipswich started at real pace with great interplay to create a try after only 1 minute for prop Sam Goodwin, converted by Corey Button Ipswich were 7 points up with only 2 minutes played.

As the game settled it appeared that Epping had some real strength in the tight but Ipswich had the edge out wide and at the breakdown. However, the telling factor in the opening exchanges was the penalty count, time and again Ipswich infringed, giving Epping the opportunity to kick for territory and scoring opportunities close to the Ipswich line. On 11 minutes Epping gained a penalty in kicking range but Mitch Din missed and as Epping continued to press they gained a lineout close to the Ipswich line. With a smart move to the front of the line Epping number eight Mitch Sinfield ran through too easily to score a try on 12 minutes and when Mitch Din converted the scores were level 7 all.

Ipswich pressed back immediately but when Chris Leggett tackled late he was sin binned leaving Ipswich short and under real pressure in set pieces. Epping kicked for territory and gained a scrum close in to the Ipswich line and with the advantage in the scrum it was all to easy for number 8 Sinfield to pick up at the base of the scrum and drive over for his second try. Once again Mitch Din converted so Epping were ahead 14-7 on 19 minutes.

As the yellow card was reversed Ipswich started to play themselves back into the game and pressed hard in the Epping 22 for minute but the visitors to their credit were resolute and held Ipswich out and drive Ipswich back to their half. It looked as though Epping were going to turn round ahead but Ipswich kept working and after Corey Button broke well from his own half to set up a strong attacking position in the Epping 22. Epping were forced to infringe and a quick penalty was taken over by Chris Blom wide out on the left touchline. Corey Button was successful with the very difficult conversion to level scores at half time, 14 points each. But the penalty count was far from level, 4 to Ipswich, 10 to Epping so that was sure to be a talking point in the half time huddle.

As the teams turned round Ipswich had a measure of advantage with wind, but Epping had a clear psychological edge in the early exchanges, they drove deep into the Ipswich half forcing a penalty which Mitch Dun converted. 17 – 14 to the visitors with 6 minutes of the second half played. Epping continued to drive and after a series of strong forward drives, deep into the Ipswich 22 the ball was passed quickly to wide right to create an overlap for centre Nick Conway to dive over. The conversion was missed but Epping had an 8 point advantage with 18 minutes of the second half played.

As the match moved into the final quarter Ipswich upped their tempo and drove deep into the Epping half but it seemed that time and again final passes went astray, balls were dropped or other minor errors released the pressure on Epping. Finally on 34 minutes the pressure told for Ipswich who gained a lineout in the opposition 22 they won the ball and the pack mauled stongly driving forward before releasing the ball to backs who span wide and left to provide winger Jermaine Watson with a one on one opportunity. The Ipswich winger, in a fine vein of form, fixed the defender before breaking wide outside to score a great try wide out left. Corey Button missed the challenging conversion narrowly to leave the score to 21-22 with 5 minutes remaining of the 40 and Ipswich behind by the narrowest of margins. There was clear tension on the faces of the local supporters as the home side had a clear hill to climb and time was running out.

As the game moved into stoppage time Ipswich drove again and kicked forward to give a line-out to Epping on their own 22, Ipswich won that against the head and drove wide right drawing Epping defence with them, they then recycled the ball quick left and Corey Button spun a monstrous pass to Jermain Watson who took the ball in space and accelerated wide to score his second try. Corey Button missed the difficult conversion but Ipswich were ahead, 26-22 to the obvious delight and relief of the home supporters. But Epping weren’t finished and fought back only to have Ipswich prop Jake Goodwin turnover great ruck ball and pick up on the half way before sprinting clear to score a great solo try on the 43rd minute. When that was converted by Corey Button Ipswich finished 33-22 to the good with a very dramatic injury time turnround and an opening bonus point victory.

Ipswich captain Adam Pickering was delighted, “this was a fantastic effort from the fellas, we have had a hard and productive pre-season and we are still learning the systems, that was great play - real guts and heart in the final drive to the finish.” Nick Greenhall the Head Coach was happy, “I was pleased with the lads, we showed good fitness and I am very pleased for them. We lost our way mentally at the start of the second half but came good at the end, what a way to recover!”