Ipswich Obtain Hard Earned Elusive Win

Ipswich beat Suffolk rivals Southwold at the fourth attempt in London 2NE on Saturday grinding out a deserved away win in front of a vocal enthusiastic crowd, on a hot late summers day and a rock hard pitch at The Common.

In a match containing 31 penalties in all neither side was able to get a foothold on the game, and this was compounded by both defences in general negating any attacking threats.

Southwold started the stronger led by an excellent forward pack, and the Ipswich defence had to be resolute as the away team barely got their hands on the ball or entered the Southwold half for the first 9 minutes following 3 successive general errors.

Eventually the pressure told and the home side were awarded a penalty try after sustained pressure, and to add additional pressure a yellow card was awarded to Ipswich back rower Max Siddle.

Ipswich however rather than buckling, gradually obtained more possession and therefore territory and the balance of the game turned, resulting in captain Corey Button kicking a penalty to reduce the deficit to 3pts to 7.

The visitors took the lead for the first time following a turn over deep in their own half which was exploited with clinical accuracy. Tim Mann showing his National League experience broke away and committed 2 Southwold left side defenders by turning their outside shoulders in and giving a long pass to right wing Chris Kolapo who raced 40 meters to score under the posts for his fourth try in 2 games. Button added the conversion to put Ipswich 10pts to 7 up.

Southwold came back the stronger team in the latter few minutes of the half and kicked a penalty late on to level the scores at 10pts all at the interval.

The second half largely replicated the first in terms of both teams conceding too many penalties to obtain momentum, with Ipswich being rewarded with sustained pressure with a penalty goal kicked by skipper Button to give the visitors a 3 point lead.

The highlight of the half was Ipswich’s second try exploiting their own left short side , the ball was passed to left winger Adam Clark who stepped away from the side line and held up the covering defence before passing infield to supporting interchange back Carlton Littlechild who scored near the posts, Button adding the conversion to give the away side a 20pts to 10 lead.

The latter part of the half showed Southwold throwing everything at the visitors to get back into the game, and it was only outstanding defence both near the goal line and further out to stem attacks that kept them at bay. The final score was a penalty goal to Southwold which ensured a losing bonus point to the hosts.

Although Jim Clark will see areas for improvement within the game, he will be pleased with the defensive commitment, positive attitude and willingness for players to work for each other as positive foundations ahead of the forthcoming challenges.

A dampener on the day was the unfortunate leg injury sustained to Centre Will Davis, all at the club wish him a speedy recovery.

Ipswich play round 3 at home to Cantabs RFC at Humber Doucy Lane next Saturday 2nd October with a kick off at 3pm.