U14s win a nail-biter at Colchester

With most Sunday rugby in the region falling victim to the freezing temperatures, the U14s headed to Colchester to open their Suffolk Cup campaign on their artificial surface. With clear blue skies overhead, the frost on the surface soon melted away leaving the pitch in good condition for the game ahead.

Having faced Colchester in a friendly the week before, the boys knew to expect a challenging game against a resolute defence and an attack that would seek to stretch them when they had the chance. Last week Ipswich took 15 minutes to wake up and get into the game, but this week hit their straps straight from the opening whistle.

Ipswich were cleaner at the ruck than they have been in recent weeks, and were able to string several phases of patient play together, using the forwards well to punch holes and then recycle the ball. Our front five of Jack, Arthur, Bryn, Daniel and Tommy were tasked with imposing themselves on the game, and they rose to the challenge well, putting in a series of clean drives, bullets and seals. This created room for a trademark powerful run from Viggo who was held up just before the line, with captain Junior on hand as ever to capitalise and crash over for the opening score on the left, 0-5.

The reds came back into the game and after some intense pressure they finally managed to break through a strong Ipswich defence, through patient play, stringing several phases together until they created the space to go over just to the left of the posts. With an easier conversion made, Colchester took the lead 7-5.

These two sides look set to have years of close battles ahead of them, with both teams displaying a lot of heart, physicality and skills in the cold conditions. The Ipswich 9 Kamron delivered a lot of quality ball out to Harry to get the backs moving, and whilst Tomos and Zach in the centres had many powerful runs for which they are renowned, the Colchester centres stood firm. Similarly when Colchester looked to stretch the game, Ipswich's drift defence worked well, with flankers Fergus and Junior covering everywhere on the pitch. Viggo played at 8 and was a menace from the back of the scrum, and in the loose, putting in several lung-busting runs, although each time being shut down by firm Colchester tackling.

At half-time Colchester led 7-5 with Ipswich having shaded the half but Colchester's defence standing firm. Colchester however made the first impact of the second half, again able to string multiple phases of play together before a gap appeared on the blind side for them to exploit, and despite the scrambling defenders almost rescuing the situation, they managed to cross the whitewash close enough to the posts to allow the conversion to be slotted. 14-5.

Ipswich regrouped under the posts and despite being two scores down, knew if they continued to execute their systems could get back into the game. Debutant Alex was making an impact in the front row, being powerful in the scrum, and effective in the loose, having replaced Jack in the first half. Our wingers Ismael and Luca looked dangerous all day, although they were denied room by great cover defence from Colchester. However after one surge down the left, Ipswich recycled the ball quickly and Zach opportunistically picked from the ruck, broke a tackle or two on the blind side and showed a clear pair of heels to go in under the post. Fin nudged over the points to bring it back to a 2 point game . 14-12.

Ipswich were now right in the game, and having the better of it with ferocious defence and thrusting attacks down both flanks, and through the middle. Lincoln was in at 9 adding some bite around the breakdowns and further fresh legs were added when Fergus came into the centres and Dylan at full-back with Fin pushing up to 10 and Tomos moving into the backrow. Ipswich were unlucky twice when perfect cross-kicks were put up by Fin for Luca, with only cold fingertips denying what would have been an excellently executed try.

The pressure finally tolled when after another series of of drives though backs and forwards alike, Zach again capitalised to find the gap and bust over the line for the decisive score. 14-17.

The last 5 minutes saw the lads keep their heads, keep tight in defence and deny Colchester the opportunity to come back in this see-saw game. Ipswich were turning over Colchester ball in the ruck and with the defence having won a penalty down the left, Fin tapped and then sent the ball out to herald the referee's final whistle and the end of a quality game of rugby.

The Ipswich lads played with great heart and determination both in defence and attack all morning. Their mental fortitude to dig in after conceding first in the second half was impressive, as was their patience in attack and teamwork in defence. No doubt similarly challenging cup games await after Christmas, but for now attention turns to the visit of Sudbury next weekend, allowing all of the squad the opportunity to end the year on a high with a home match followed by Christmas celebrations in the clubhouse.

Players player of the match: Zach
Coaches player of the match: Junior