Ipswich YM snatch a last minute victory
Eastern Counties 1 league match - 6th October: Woodbridge Warriors 22 v Ipswich YM 23
Woodbridge opened this thrilling local derby notching up 3 penalties in the first five minutes and letting YM Ipswich no8, Elliston, kick 3 points. YM, five places higher in the League, was better practiced at line out and pushed their hosts back in the scrums from which Elliston picked and charged repeatedly. Undeterred, Warriors Garnham and Bruce kept Woodbridge in the game with some wide runs and accurate kicking from hand yielding a couple of missed penalty opportunities. The Ipswich full back, Kenny, caused Woodbridge all sorts of bother, backing up his wingers and testing the Woodbridge defence, but Bruce’s long kicks to clear got them back into the YM 22 for Yorke to drive over and score.
With the game getting tense the Ref was kept busy. Both sides kicked at each other and responded well in equal measure, gathering and passing with good hands in the warm, windless conditions. Woodbridge forwards all worked hard to counter the larger and more cohesive Ipswich pack. Towards the end of the half Ipswich’s Kenny made another darting run and Rudland scored from the ensuing 5m ruck. Yellow cards on both sides meant that Bruce was able to break from YM’s ten metre line and exploit their missing fullback to score, converted by Smith.
A poor restart from the Warriors put them immediately under pressure and called for Bruce to clear again. Sin bins re-joined only for more handbags and it was back to 14-a-side before Woodbridge were carded again allowing Elliston to take another three penalty points. Ipswich, accustomed to turning the scrum, were then penalised for an infringement in the process which allowed Barton to take the three points back. With Bruce sent to the bin for not retreating the Warriors were down to 12 men requiring Lloyd and Smith to clear from their own 22 until, back to full strength, they attacked on the right and Millbank scored a converted try. With 7 minutes to go at 22-11 down YM changed gear, Elliston running from the back of the scrum and his forwards pumping wave after wave against a whistle-hungry Woodbridge defence until Quinton scored and Elliston converted. Four points in it, a nail-biting two minutes and YM was back on the Warriors 5 metre line pulling them into a narrow channel of defence only to pass wide for Ford to score five points in the last play, win the match and take home-team hearts from ecstasy to agony.
Woodbridge Warriors 22 ; Ipswich YM 23
Media contacts
For further information please WRUFC contacts; Simon Ballard on 07766 136554,pressofficer@woodbridgerugby.net
Woodbridge Rugby Union Football Club, Hatchley Barn, Orford Road, Bromeswell, Suffolk, IP12 2PP.
Tags:
