IPSWICH YM 41 - COLCHESTER 3rd XV 5

A resounding win to bring the YM up to the Christmas break, with hopes (and some signs) that the poor first half of the season might now be behind them; both the players and the small band of spectators able perhaps to look forward to a brighter spring.

On a cold, still, misty afternoon it appeared at first that both sides were evenly matched, but before long the YM’s pack asserted itself, and took control of the tight phases of the game, more than holding its own in the line-out and completely destroying the Colchester forwards in the scrum, driving the visitors off their own ball at will, or forcing them to concede penalties. The fast and dangerous Colchester backs were starved of possession by the dominance of the YM pack and the threat they posed was neutralised, with the exception of a period just before half time, when they scored their only try.

Both the YM’s tries in the first half came directly from their forward superiority. Pressure on the Colchester defence led to penalties, and from two of these the YM kicked to touch, won the resulting line-out, then drove forward to put first John Harvey and then Ben Hockley over to score.

In the second half the YM completely eclipsed their opponents, the forwards again rampant and five more tries followed, Ben Hockley scoring his second and Shane Head scoring two from the front row. This dominance gave the home side’s backs the opportunity to show what they could do with the ball, Carlton Ford in particular with his pace and elusive running.

The YM can enjoy the break after a good win and a good performance, and look forward to the spring with some optimism, but tougher challenges than this await them in the New Year.