Southwold 12-10 Ipswich YM
15th November 2014
Match Report written by Anthony Bohncke

Southwold welcomed Ipswich YM to the common this past Saturday which on paper was going to be one of Southwold biggest tests of the season.

Southwold started the game with territory and possession in their favour. The forwards were carrying the ball in to contact well and therefore giving the backs good ball to work with. The problem was that Ipswich YM’s defence was up very quickly and Rob Owles who was play at 10 had no time to feed the backs with ball.

The first half was so tight and close with both defence being on top, Southwold first try however came from having a sustained period of pressure in the YM’s 22. Forwards such as Chris Aldous and Stuart Butler were working hard against a very physical YM defence. A number of phases in the YM 22, lead to Lee Wagner and Tim O’Connell carrying and crashing the ball forward, before Tim O’Connell himself was able to burrow his way over the line to score with 30 mins on the clock. Ben Hadingham was able to convert the try from wide out, 7-0 to Southwold.

This try gave Southwold what they deserved from being on top for the majority of the first half. Ipswich YM however come out from the restart with aggression and began to take the game to Southwold. Precise kicking from their fly half gave YM territory to build on. YM were able to have control of possession, but Southwold’s defence stood strong. After a long period of pressure Southwold conceded a penalty at the break down and YM took the points on offer, 7-3 to Southwold.

The remained of the first half belonged to Southwold with the game being played down in the YM’s half. Young Darius Mullen was having a brilliant game starting at scrum half creating gaps and chances for the rest of the team to work from. Southwold’s second try game from a well-controlled scrum and Darius himself was able to exploit the blind side before offloading the ball to Duncan Hume who was running in support on his inside shoulder to score, 12—3 to Southwold at half time.

Southwold were happy to go in at half time with a lead but knew they had to work hard in the second half to win the game. YM came out after half time controlling possession and they had Southwold on the back foot.

Southwold’s defence stayed strong for long periods of time with both forwards and backs tackling extremely well to prevent YM from scoring. James Hall and Jonny Stephenson were able to contest for the ball at severe breakdowns and win it back for Southwold.

YM however scored their only try of the game when being camped in Southwold’s 22 for a majority of time and their forwards picking and going from several ruck. Despite this Southwold defence stayed strong until YM were awarded a penalty try, for Southwold’s repeated infringement. YM converted the penalty try to make the scores very tight at 12-10 to Southwold.

The final phases of the game were again very tense and both teams were playing with great passion and commitment. Southwold were able to play the game down in YM’s half of pitch, with the forwards keeping possession in their hands. Southwold were able to see the game out to record a very impressive win against a well drilled YM side.

This week both the 1s and 2’s are away at Swaffham.