U15s 19 Ipswich U15s 19

Brentwood leave it too late…

With only 16 players and 7 forwards someone suggested little Ian could probably get away with playing provided he wore a scrum hat. Ian declined, can’t say I blame him, and Mikey was the lucky back that got to play in the forwards.

To begin with the boys started well after Ipswich failed to gather the kick off and Brentwood won the ball back. After several phases however, the ball was knocked on giving Ipswich the turn over. It was spread quickly to the wing, 2 missed tackles later and the Ipswich player had scorched in to score the first try. The conversion was good, 7-0 to Ipswich.

As the match progressed it seemed the handling errors Brentwood were committing could cost them dear as every time Ipswich got the ball from a turn over they looked incredibly dangerous, shipping the ball well and running good lines leaving Brentwood’s defence in all sorts of problems, to the point where only a try saving tackle from Sam Fry managed to deny them a second. In spite of this Ipswich kept hold of possession and pounded the Brentwood try line for such a period that inevitably the pressure would tell. It did when the Ipswich forwards rumbled over, the conversion was missed, 12-0 to Ipswich.

Brentwood though, as ever, were not about to lay down and die and it seems a few mince pies over Christmas hadn’t affected the fitness levels as the boys began to fight back. The seven forwards and Mikey put in a big effort and began to smash their way up field until eventually James managed to crash over, making amends for an earlier dropped ball over the try line. Billy’s conversion, even in spite of the wind, surprisingly bisected the posts, 12-7 to Ipswich and half time.

The half time team talk centred around the fact that missed tackles were costing the team dear and they should look to rectify this. As always it was nice to see the boys listen as yet more missed tackles put Brentwood on the back foot with seemingly the only back remembering how to tackle at times being Sam Fry. Despite his best efforts there were only so many tackles he could make and Ipswich steamed in for another score. The conversion was good, 19-7 to Ipswich.

Brentwood’s approach was to bash back. Although to be honest with the strong wind it was probably the best idea for the forwards to stick it up their jumpers. They of course obliged, mauling and picking and working their way downfield, leaving the backs to do things such as contemplate what homework they’d forgotten to do, where on earth they’d left that other sock and if they would ever make it onto Strictly Come Dancing…because of this the backs were taken somewhat by surprise when, in the Ipswich 22 the forwards suddenly started offloading and moving with the ball. Some good hands saw William barrel his way over from the usual two yards out. Billy’s conversion attempt missed, 19-12 to Ipswich.

And the fight back continued. Seemingly now pumped up, the boys actually started to play, shifting the ball well and using the wind to play the corners for possession. One of these kicks for the corners resulted in a lineout to Ipswich inside there own 22, which was nicked by Brentwood. This set up the forwards yet again for another rumble towards the try line. Some patient tight play saw Billy make it over to score. The conversion was a difficult one, around mid way between the touch line and the posts with a strong wind and what with Billy being the kicker it was a case of which corner flag would he hit? And then something amazing happened. He absolutely nailed it. And celebrated like a mad man. At the time I thought this was a bit excessive, we were still 2 points down…or not. Seems I did in fact have the score wrong, a little worrying for someone who is taking A Level Maths. You’ll pleased to know the reason for this report being late is down to Maths revision! So contrary to what I thought the score was 19 all.

Was there time left to win it? Unfortunately no. Full time, 19 apiece, a very good effort from the 16 who played but it was just left a little too late. Lastly, I’m not allowed to mention referee, The Messiah, Ian’s man bo*bs. So I won’t.