U15 HARWICH 0 - 5 IPSWICH March 16 2008

Try Scorer: Harry Greenall

This was a good win in difficult circumstances, in a match with a number of “firsts”, some good, some bad.

Most importantly for your reporter, the worst first, was the most unwarranted and vile weather he and fellow watchers were subjected to, in 8 years of Sunday Youth Rugby. The Stowmarket game in December last year was mentioned as being of similar atrociousness, but that was only a 2 fleece and brolly game. This required a third layer, plus hat, scarf and gloves. It still felt colder than a penguin’s pantry.

Of course, the more fashion conscious amongst us, felt the sunny occasion merited only a skin tight top and a large midriff gap, but Malcolm later explained that he didn’t want to upstage Charlotte Meggs, and left his pedal pushers at work. Back to those firsts:-

It was going to be the first time we had played a full game against Harwich, in Harwich, but somehow everybody, (except the promised Ipswich first team coach), managed to get to Mistley in time to play at a rearranged venue, after waterlogging of the Harwich pitch.

It was the first time I’ve been flashed at and pulled over by the car behind me, being driven by a Traffic Cop, and not get a fine.

It was the first time that I’ve been to a rugby club, that didn’t have a bar, didn’t sell a sausage, refused to put on the shower heaters, and had no white lines on the pitch. I’ve been to places that probably suffered from a lack of two of aforesaid compulsory items, but not all of them.

It was the first time I had seen substitutions in the first minute of the second half. Interesting.

It was the first time, that I had ever seen a red card brandished in a Youth game. Dreadful, and I’m sure there will be consequences.

It was the first time I’d seen a Red card and a Yellow card issued in the same game, Worse.

It was the first time that I had seen a man referee a match with a ball up his shirt, and keep it there for the whole game. Great role model.

It was the first time in a recent game that a Mars Bar move never got completed. (none to buy anyway)

It was the first time in a friendly game (not a Cup match)I can remember having seen a single try settle a game. Corrections welcome.

Well done then to both Ipswich and Harwich squads, neither of whom ever gave up trying to make a game of it despite the conditions, constant restarts and cold hands.

Harry, never say die try scorer on 60 minutes– and Tom, with a text book tackle just as Harwich threatened a break away towards the end, deserve a mention, but in truth, there was no Man of the Match – because it was another Team effort. Down to 14 men for practically the whole of the second half, Ipswich always looked in control, and dominated possession and territory. They couldn’t keep the ball alive at crucial moments, but that was mostly down to frostbite and resolute defence, by a team probably a stone a man heavier.

Good preparation perhaps for the forthcoming Tour: further announcements will be made shortly on the final arrangements, so keep an eye on the emails and website.