IPSWICH YM RUFC First XV v SOUTHWOLD RUFC Match Report, 16th September 2023

The YM fielded a strong side made up of familiar faces but one exception was Marcus Gibson debuting at scrum half. Connor McLaughlan has previously played as a back row forward as well as on the wing and at full-back but lined up as hooker for this match. George Hendry also moved into the fly half position due to the long term injury suffered by Barny Horsfield during the pre-season with Nick van Der Linde returning to the inside centre.

The YM started the game in a positive fashion with James Tabor taking advantage of a good high kick into the Southwold half to drive into the Southwold 22. But in an early sign of the danger that Southwold could present, their right winger made an excellent break from a ruck in the Southwold 22 but ran into Matt Houlden and James Tabor on the YM 22 who put in a combined and solid defensive tackle. The first scrum in the YM half was won by Southwold in a dominant manner and great interplay and support through their midfield led to a try by Southwold on 5 minutes which was duly converted by their fly half for a 0-7 lead.

The YM were given an opportunity after a Southwold clearance kick from open field went directly into touch but a penalty arising from a YM high tackle shortly after halted progress. A poor defensive kick from YM was gathered by Southwold’s centre on halfway and without any chase from the YM had options to attack on either wing which he duly did with support for Southwold’s second try after 8 minutes. The conversion was missed 0-12.

The YM were conceding too many penalties - particularly at the breakdown – so momentum and field position remained elusive. However, YM’s backs combined well on 20 minutes with George Hendry, Ed Parkin and Corey Parfitt all involved with some neat attacking interplay that released James Tabor for the first sustained pressure being placed on the Southwold defence. Sadly, another penalty at the breakdown by YM allowed Southwold to clear their lines. Shortly afterwards, the referee’s patience was tested once too often and YM’s Josh Rhind was yellow carded in response to the cumulative transgressions of the YM team. Southwold took immediate advantage of their numerical advantage and scored their third try which was well converted to extend their lead to 0-19.

Chris Blom replaced Ben Alfs on 30 minutes and some good pressure from YM 5 metres from the Southwold try line led to the Southwold fly half being yellow carded. Southwold turned the ball over on their try line and broke out in attack but a great tackle from Ed Parkin led to a YM turnover and line break by Corey Parfitt who ran through to score under the posts for a deserved and timely try which was converted by James Tabor 7-19.

Southwold conceded another yellow card and Matt Houlden gathered the kick-off and with good support enable James Tabor to score YM’s second try which he also converted and take the half time score to 14-19.

With Josh Rhind back on the pitch the YM started the second half with two player numerical advantage and, from another consistently good line out from the YM, Josh Rhind made an immediate impact and powered through to score a try. James Tabor converts for YM to take a narrow lead 21-19.

With Southwold back to full strength shortly thereafter it became a battle of attrition punctuated by great defence from both teams. The YM could not get the ball cleanly out to their wingers where it appeared the best opportunities for scores were likely. But this was due to the line speed and tackling of the Southwold defence. When Southwold moved into strong attacking positions in the YM half and 22 the same defensive commitment was true of the YM. But eventually, a penalty was awarded to Southwold and electing to kick the lead was retaken by a solitary point 21-22 which was the final score.

Whilst the result was disappointing, there were plenty of positives not least the shifts put in by all players on both teams on a very hot and sunny afternoon. For the YM, Marcus Gibson on debut looked assured. Connor McLaughlan’s lineout throwing excelled and the lineout as a whole appeared very solid and decent source of YM possession which has not always been the case. But ultimately, the penalty count was the area where some extra self-discipline is required to ensure that the YM do not let the pressure they build against good opposition sides - like Southwold – being released by the referee’s whistle.

We are YM!