Ipswich 38 - 5 Chelmsford

Following what was a poor performance last week at near rivals Norwich, Ipswich Rugby Club bounced back in fine style against bottom of the table Chelmsford at Humber Doucy Lane on a cold damp Saturday afternoon.

Chelmsford were no push-overs although Ipswich were well worth their 38-5 bonus point win.

Ipswich playing in their black & gold shirts had made a handful of changes for this latest round of games in London 2 (NE) with Carlton Littlechild (full back), Gwyn Church (open-side flanker), Sam Goodwin (loose-head prop), Josh Wright (right wing), Ben Grimwood (centre) all returning to first team action having missed the trip north. Additionally, Jake Steward, playing out of position last week was handed the scrum-half responsibilities in favour of Josh Hayward (bench). A massive plus for Ipswich was the return to the side of giant lock Mike Graham who slotted in to the engine room after satisfactorily completing two training sessions following a spell learning his trade in New Zealand. At 6ft 6in and close to 20 stones Graham was able to add a considerable amount of ballast to what is possibly the smallest forward pack in the league.

A last-minute change saw Tom Potter recalled to action as a replacement following a muscle tear for tight head Jim Clarke during the warm up.

Early Chelmsford indiscipline allowed Ipswich to advance following a scrum collapse and some back-chat to referee Edwards. A kick to touch from Button saw Graham win his first line-out of the day and winger Jermaine Watson was unlucky not to score having raced through to take a pass from Grimwood.

Only 9 minutes played and following another early foray in to the Chelmsford ‘22’, Grimwood went down in agony having rolled an ankle in a heavy tackle. Josh Hayward was brought on as a replacement.

Despite early pressure Ipswich were made to work very hard in the first 30 minutes of the half. Some sloppy ball handling and, some clear anxiety was evident as Chelmsford (in blue & white) continued to frustrate their hosts. An early attack from Chelmsford scrum half Woodward saw the visitors enter the Ipswich half for the first time and only some fine tackling – particularly from centre Charlie Dower – forced a turnover and the opportunity for the home side to regain possession.

A couple of strong forward drives by the Chelmsford pack were halted short of the Ipswich line and again a clearance was made possible after flanker Cooke was penalised for handling on the floor.

More Ipswich pressure and again the live-wire Watson, who appeared to be at the centre of Ipswich play, was a prominent feature. Having been held up short of the line, the winger laid the ball back for Steward who picked up, threw a dummy to his left and plunged over under the posts for the first try of the game. Button converted and after 24 minutes Ipswich led 7-0.

Five minutes later and Ipswich were again pressing for a score following good work by Church, Sam Goodwin and Cameron Beaton. From a maul, lock Mike Graham spun out with ball in hand and scored from close range. Another simple conversion for Button (14-0).

Chelmsford showed their resilience with strong running from their centres Stockton and Ferrier as they tried to break the well-organised Ipswich defence. A loose pass following good pressure from Hayward and Dower forced a turnover and Ipswich cleared again.

On the stroke of half-time, Ipswich pressed forward again and following a high tackle on Sam Goodwin on half-way, Button kicked Ipswich in to the Chelmsford five metre zone. Another secure win at the front of the line-out from Graham and a quick couple of phases of play saw Littlechild release Watson in space - for the winger to score his second try of the game 15 metres in from touch. As Corey Button struck yet another fine conversion, the half-time whistle was almost drowned out by the collective sigh of relief that was heard from the large crowd that had assembled.

Half time: Ipswich… 21 – Chelmsford ...0

A difficult start to the second half saw Ipswich concede a series of unnecessary penalties in rather quick succession as Chelmsford attempted to fight their way back in to the game. This series of petty misdemeanours prompted a stern warning for the Ipswich captain Pickering from Mr Edwards.

Ipswich whilst now the dominant side seemed to waste possession with a couple of aimless kicks and the continued poor handling under pressure that had been evident in the first quarter.

The game moved in to the final quarter, Potter replaced Rob Leggett in the second row and was immediately in action with a strong carry through the middle of the field.

Winger Josh Wright and full-back Littlechild then combined at great pace attacking down the Chelmsford left. Wright, back from injury, raced away to score another Ipswich try after a neat interchange with his full-back to earn the bonus point for the home side (33-0).

Sam Goodwin (68 mins) attracted the further displeasure of Mr Edwards and the Ipswich loose-head was given a yellow card for deliberately slowing down Chelmsford possession as the blue & whites tried to make progress - entering from the side of a ruck.

The resultant penalty was struck to touch and following another penalty (offside) Ipswich were again pegged back deep in to their ‘22’ with another kick from Rhys Whitelock. Ten minutes to play as the ball was thrown in, and, despite a Chelmsford catch & drive, the ball was dropped and Ipswich were again fortunate to secure possession and clear.

Chelmsford then picked up a yellow card (74 mins) with replacement Cunnah adjudged to have tackled an Ipswich ball-carrier without using his arms. A quick tap & go from Ipswich and Button crossed the Chelmsford ‘22’, with a little chip & chase. The young fly-half was so close to catching the ball and scoring what would have been a splendid try but, the ball went to ground.

Still in possession and deep in the ‘22’, the ball moved through hands quickly finding Watson in space and the speedy winger was able to race through and score his third try of the game capping a fine performance.

As the game entered the final phase, a second yellow card for Chelmsford who were now down to 13 players. Meanwhile Goodwin was replaced by Tripp and in spite of the numerical advantage, the Essex lads, rallied and managed to find winger Jack Acorn in some space. For the first time in the game he rounded the Ipswich defence and scored the final try of the match.

Ipswich were delighted to have secured a fine bonus-point win and now sit eighth in the London 2 (NE) table with an interesting trip to 10th placed Cantabs (Cambridge) next week.