Ipswich Gold 40 v 5 Bury B (Nick 5, Charles, Ethan, Bill)

Today's levels were off the chart. We were aggressive, fast, decisive and structured. That is the best I’ve seen from this group and if we keep building at this rate we will end the season in more than great shape. We really are unrecognisable from the beginning of the season and that is testament to the work that the boys have put in to take us to this level. It really is so exciting for this group of players. It’s all to play for and with 15 a side rugby next season and our belief in developing minds and playing structured rugby, we are delighted with the way the boys continue to soak up all that we give them to do.

Today we were strong, controlled and structured from the whistle. We were fiery through the forward pack and the back line backed this up with good organisation and line speed. The first score took a while but this was more to do with us not supporting the runner, losing it at the ruck and then having to work hard to win it back. Once we settled though and we started running straight and supporting those lines we delivered six tries in a row without reply. Nick would have been MoM any other day than today with five tries on the day and four before half time. He was strong, fast and aggressive. That’s nine tries in two games for this young man and his development from forward to back is gathering pace. Charles and Ethan also nipped in on either wing before half time fo us to go in 30 – 0 up.

I had very little to say at half time. We talked about a shut out and about tidying up our work at the break down and being as direct as possible but generally to continue doing what we were doing. We made some changes and we went again with nil nil in our minds as a start point. Nick got the last of his five and captain Bill got one against the post to take us to 40 – 0 before we did eventually succumb to a Bury try. That the boys were so disappointed with that speaks volumes for the mental step change within this squad.

What we did well

Our scrum was strong and well set up.

Our hands were generally very good again today. I was very pleased with the levels of trust on show today.

Our tackling and body shapes. Very good. Some huge hits from some you’d expect and some you wouldn’t normally expect to see in those situations. Max Cooper take a bow. What a hit and try saving tackle!

Star Men

We were exceptional across the board today. Everyone played a part.

That said we have to pick a MoM. Normally as I said it would always go to a player who scores five out of eight tries. Nick had another very good day. That said we had a forward pack on the park that got through a tonne of work and one young man hit some huge tackles and many more tackles along the way. His tackle count was off the chart. So well done Ollie Wroe. Top end performance from a young man who will play wherever you ask him, whenever you ask.

Thank you’s

Alex and Paul for refereeing, Dougie in the kitchens and our Mums for serving up the food, JK for two great pitches and Mike and the bar staff for dealing with the onslaught.

And thank you to the boys for putting on such a great show and to the parents for getting behind them today as always.

This week

See you Thursday at training.