Ipswich under 15s faced very tough local opponents in Bury St Edmunds RFC in their opening match of the 2018-19 season. Ipswich played A and B sides in two halves, the full squad had at least 30 minutes play time, and the Ipswich boys competed strongly throughout a challenging encounter against opposition with greater squad depth. In the end the scores flattered the hosts as there were long periods where Ipswich dominated, but too often the visitors forced passes and made errors to concede advantage unnecessarily. Bury for their part were quick to capitalise on opportunities and made a number of telling breakaways at the end. Ipswich were clearly a bit “rusty”, but this match has provided players and coaches with some great learning points which will be built on for sure in the coming weeks.

Ipswich made some fine early drives from the start with Eli Govindasami, Tom White and Dantay Ward all looking strong in the opening drives. However BSE opened scores after a series of drives and despite committed defence secured an opening score after 4 minutes that was unconverted. From the restart Ipswich pressed forward in defence and Jake Hoskins was very close to a breakaway interception and a certain balancing score. However BSE were able to clear their lines break clear and set up a threatening attacking scrum deep in the Ipswich 22 after some great Ipswich cover defence. Good quick ball created a great opportunity for a second try, again unconverted, on 12 minutes. Ipswich attacked again from the restart securing an attacking scrum deep in the BSE half, Ipswich secured the ball and Dantay Ward picked up and drove on making good ground before offloading to a knock on in the clear. Ipswich continued to press and after Sam Donnelly kicked through BSE passed wide and an untypical handling error led to a great scoring opportunity for Jack Cottrell on the touchline, Sam Donnelly narrowly missed the conversion with a good effort. BSE 10 Ipswich 5 after 18 minutes. Defences were on top again for a while with Ipswich back row and backs proving particularly effective stoppers as BSE pressed on. From a promising Ipswich attack BSE broke from deep forcing a line out and then a first phase try from a break to make the half time score, BSE 15 Ipswich 5 on 23 minutes in a tight and entertaining first period.

Ipswich rang the changes in the side for the second period and it’s to the credit of the team that the scores were held for nearly 8 minutes before BSE were able to add to their score with a converted try, Ipswich attacked promisingly with Augustus Craig to the fore before conceding a soft try to BSE on 13 minutes, when converted that led to 14-0 in the second half and 29-5 as an aggregate score. As Ipswich tired in the final 10 minutes 3 breakaway tries all converted put a gloss on the final scoreline, 35-0 in the second period and 50-5 on aggregate.

Coach “PJ” Jordan was clear, “it was a tough match and for long periods the Ipswich boys dominated however BSE were better able to capitalise on errors from forced passes and turnovers and finished with a flattering score.” Nonetheless the Ipswich boys will surely learn from this and come back stronger in the coming weeks.