Brave Ipswich Just Come Short in Three Way Game at Colchester

Ipswich may have been short of up to 10 regular players from injury and unavailability but they weren’t short of heart or commitment. Fourteen brave Ipswich Under 16s just came short in an intriguing and highly entertaining three-cornered competition at Colchester RFC, facing their hosts and Woodbridge.
They played two halves each against each opposition team and every game was tightly fought with Ipswich playing sublime running rugby at times but being often outgunned at the breakdowns.

Facing Woodbridge at the start they attacked brightly finding space out right giving an opportunity for Ayrton Seabrook to break clear and score to lead 5-0, Woodbridge fought back and with some loose Ipswich midfield tackling scored smartly under the posts for an easy conversion taking a narrow lead, Woodbridge extended their lead with a smart kick through to ensure an easy conversion and a 5-14 score. Ipswich attacked again with a sublime breakaway on the left providing a clear opportunity for Jake Hoskins to demonstrate great pace and strength scoring under the posts and ensuring an easy Adam Rudolph conversion. At 12-14 this period was tightly contested until Woodbridge broke clear again to score leaving the score 12-19 with another period to play.

Next up Ipswich faced Colchester starting very brightly after a strong Dantay Ward drive led to a mid-field
opportunity for straight running Jake Hoskins to break clear scoring a try close in which Adam Rudolph converted. Shortly afterwards smart backs play with two slick missed passes from Freddie Bolton and Adam Rudolph freed Jack Cottrell wide left to run through and score a sublime try. Ipswich were 12-0 up and looking in complete control but Colchester to their credit fought back to score a try closing the score to 12-5. Ipswich drove on at the end and came close with another Jake Hoskins effort judged to have been dropped over the line just as the final whistle was blown.

Ipswich’s second period with Woodbridge was tough and very close as defences were on top and cold hands led to a number of opportunities going awry, in the end there was but one score from Woodbridge allowing them to create a cushion to ease their way past Ipswich in this corner of the competition.

Ipswich turned round again to face Colchester immediately scoring smartly via Jake Hoskins with an unconverted try. However, fatigue and pressure finally told on the Ipswich lads as Colchester rucked well time and again driving strongly and exposing the vulnerable edges of the Ipswich defence. Three tries came ensuring a Colchester win in this period 15-5. Ipswich could have won at the end, But despite brave and committed performances with strong drives from Dantay Ward, smart attacking play from Adam Rudolph and a particular mention for indomitable Dom Smith who was tackled 2 metres from the line as they were just held out in the last few minutes it was not to be Ipswich’s day.