Try Scorer: Jorge Pashler
All those watching this game will have come away with two memories. First the total commitment from both teams to produce a close fought and exciting game to watch, and second, the very agreeable and sporting sight of both teams mingling for a joint photo at the end of such a close game.
It was not a classic running game - the strong wind meant that both sets of forwards kept the ball in hand, and scoring would be limited. The result was settled in Ipswich's favour, only by a single unconverted try by flanker Jorge Pashler, early on in the second half.
Ipswich kicked off into the wind, and struggled to make any further headway, against a Woodbridge pack, keen to run the ball down the blind side at every opportunity using their big Number 4. This meant that the Ipswich flankers and half backs were kept busy defending, and both possession and territory were in the visitor's favour for the first 30 minutes. Crucial tackles were needed and made, as Woodbridge forwards broke through, but the isolated runners had to hold on to the ball and were duly penalised to give some relief to the defenders. A high ball from the Woodbridge fly half caused a moment of confusion for the Ipswich backs, voices obviously numb from the cold as three of them went for it, and the ball still hit the ground!
As half time approached, a penalty was given away between the Ipswich 22 and 10 metre line, and Woodbridge went for the points. The kick, wind assisted, easily went the distance, but was pulled just to the left of the posts.
Half time 0 - 0 and the pundits interviewed in the break were well satisfied with the score, and looking forward to the Ipswich backs getting more of the ball in the second half.
With the wind behind them, Ipswich were now able to make considerable ground with well directed kicks to touch, and began to take the game to Woodbridge, with some strong drives of their own. On 40 minutes the breakthrough came. A ruck had formed after an Ipswich line out on the Woodbridge 5m line, and spotting a gap, Jorge Pashler picked up, and got the ball down over the line, under a heap of players, but within view of the ref.
Woodbridge did not buckle, and threatened to break through in mid field, as they worked the ball out down to their fast and weaving No12, but the Ipswich defence held out, with some excellent covering tackling. The hard ground meant that some minor injury stoppages broke up the flow of the game, which together with the ever present gale force wind, meant that neither side really got close to the try lines again.
Ipswich gave away some careless penalties towards the end for some technical infringments, and the crowd sensed that whichever side scored again, would be the winner: the volume of encouragement to both sides was maintained right to the final whistle to end a close and exciting match.
Final score Ipswich 5 - 0 Woodbridge
The Suffolk Rugby Union Secretary was on hand to award the silverware to Ipswich, and his high praise to both teams and the referee for their performance, and both sets of supporters for their support, aptly reflected the excellent spirit of the game.
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