Ipswich hosted Cambridge with testing, windy conditions causing a few problems for both teams.

On occasions the U15s can be slow to start, but not on this occasion as after Cambridge allowed the kick-off to bounce, Gethin gathered the ball to cut through and score after barely 10 seconds. This was quickly followed up by Tom running in a great try on the left flank after multiple phases created some space for him to exploit, 10 – 0 after only a few minutes.

Cambridge were not going to roll over and their forwards were very committed to the ruck and they were counter rucking us on occasions in the opening quarter of the game, they were also very strong in the scrum. The boys started to adapt to their tactics and our forwards started to commit more players to the ruck and with more ferocity, (as Fergus’ nose will attest to) ensuring our backs could utilise their clear advantage over the opposition.

After a good break from George in midfield, Gethin was on hand to receive a pass and beat the remaining defenders to score under the posts to make the score 17 – 0.

Just before half time George burst through their midfield to again score under the posts.

Half time: Ipswich 24 – Cambridge 0

Ipswich were with the wind in the second half, and this proved trickier for the players who were still trying to throw the ball around, but the ball was drifting away from hands and a few knock-ons and mistakes crept in to disrupt our pattern of play.

We were still in the ascendancy though and a quick tap penalty from Theo on their 22 allowed some good quick passing to get Harry F free on the right wing to score a well deserved try on his return from injury, 29 – 0.

Cambridge then kept us pinned near our own line for 5 minutes or so, but after a solid scrum the backs ran it from our own line to work the ball to Noah, who at this point was just outside our 22. He kicked the ball over his opposite number, chased and after some impressive dribbling skills scored a length of the field try under the posts, 36 - 0.

Cambridge were still battling hard and got on the scoresheet after their scrum half took a quick tap penalty from a few metres out to score and the subsequent conversion made it 36 -7.

There was time for one more Ipswich try, again Noah using his footballing skills well, improvising after a backs move went a bit wrong!

Final score: Ipswich 41 – Cambridge 7

We did leave a few tries out there this week and our discipline needs to improve, but all in all a decent performance in difficult conditions.

Brothers