U15 IPSWICH 36 - 5 STOWMARKET February 10 2008

Tries from Trung Duc Le (3), Adam Sterry (2) and Andy Slater.
Penalties: George Solomon (2)

Having been carted off in an ambulance last week, the squad was delighted and somewhat surprised to see Adam back and ready for selection this week. By then going and scoring 2 tries today, he put himself squarely in the frame for Man of the Match, which was a bit tough on Trung. The wizard has shed his trademark shiny blue shorts, but was magic nonetheless today, with a hat trick of fine tries and so nearly a fourth. So how to choose between them?

In the end, the ref had to be consulted, and concurred with your reporter’s assessment, that Adam just nicked it. His courage, his all round bulldog effort, and the fact that this was the first time this season that he had started and finished in the back row just gave him the edge, in a game that was very demanding, physical, and at times in need of cool heads.

The game was only 5 minutes old when the ref had to remind both sides that this was a game of rugby, Stowmarket’s coach enquired as to the credentials of today’s man in the middle and on being told that he was one of Suffolk’s finest, and quite capable of dealing with undesirables, wished him good luck with the bunch he’d brought with him. Quite prophetic then, as the ref was kept busy watching several off the ball incidents, as Stowmarket sought to even the score without scoring!

After 10 minutes, and Stowmarket handling on the ground, a quick tap and go penalty brought George Solomon within range as the opposition did not retire 10 yards. His penalty kicking of late has been impressive, and this was duly converted. 3 - 0 to Ipswich, but, in boxing terms, Stow were still ahead on points.

Ipswich in the main, did not get involved, preferring to let their playing do the talking. On 15 minutes, Tom Rice, in his now familiar role of full back, cleanly caught a penalty clearance kick down the left channel and charged back to his pack, and a well angled kick followed, to the right hand corner. The forwards managed to reclaim the ball, and a quick recycle released Trung in the clear about 10 yards out. Unstoppable from that distance, he touched down in the corner. 8 – 0. Conversion missed.

His second try was the best of his three. The forwards were in the ascendancy, winning every ruck ball, turning over scrums and keeping the opposition well pinned back in their half. In due course, the ball was then neatly handled down the line by the Ipswich backs, each man running straight and drawing the defence, creating the perfect overlap for Trung to score in the right hand corner again. (Was his family there, watching by any chance?) Applauded by all, and scintillating stuff. George’s conversion missed, on a close attempt, rebounding off the bar.

Stow were pushed further behind from another George Solomon penalty on 25 minutes, and again just before half time. A long clearance kick to touch by Stow, led to a quick Ipswich throw in, and the ball punted long and wide right again. This time, with James Sadler and Andy Slater both in hot pursuit, the Stow defence could not cope with their speed, and after James had just missed out, Andy got his hand on the ball for an unconverted try (in Trung corner).

Half Time, a very satisfactory 21 – 0 to Ipswich.

In the 40th minute, Stowmarket got a deserved score, after Ipswich were guilty of not retreating after a penalty. Their big No.5 took the ball close to the line, gathering the disorganised Ipswich defence, and released it in time for the try, (unconverted from Trung corner) 21 – 5.

This galvanized Stow into their best rugby of the morning, and it took another 10 minutes before Ipswich got possession back down in their half. Yet another penalty given away by Stow for handling in the ruck, was kicked to touch within 5 metres. The throw in was not straight and Stow opted for a scrum. The long pass to their full back was spotted by Sam Parry-Jones on the left wing, and his brave block on the clearance enabled Adam to pick up, and drop over the line for his first try of the season. 26 – 5.

Trung’s third of the game, was the result of another excellent clearance catch by Tom Rice. Shaking off the effects of a seriously hard tackle just moments earlier, he dodged this time, and released Trung who then carved and danced his way around the Stowmarket cover, side stepping to the left hand corner this time. Perhaps his family had moved down that end. 31 – 5.

Soon after, he had another 40m lung bursting effort down the right hand wing, and supported by Bens Brown and Grimwood was hauled down only 5m short.

The final score, right on 60 minutes, saw Adam’s second try. It followed another ruck infringement penalty (coming in from the side) given away by Stowmarket, and seizing his opportunity, a solo dash for the line, breaking at least two tackles, saw our Man of the Match through.

Final Score 36 -5

One of the more physically challenging games of the season, and excellent preparation for the visit of South Woodham Ferrers to Ipswich next Sunday, a team that beat us earlier in the season, whilst this squad was very much at the development stage.