Ipswich YM keep 100% record intact with win at Colchester

On a bright but raw winter’s afternoon, the YM back division that took to the field against Colchester bore little resemblance to the formation that had represented the club for most of the season so far, so injury-ravaged are the YM at present.

Thankfully YM’s forwards, nearly up to full strength, were more than up to their task and took the battle to their hosts, stifling early advances by Colchester and then building up momentum to gain territory.

In the scrum the hosts’ pack was frequently driven back at speed, in the loose the YM forwards had a lesser, but still significant upper hand, while in the line-outs Colchester edged the contest.

YM opened the scoring after winning a line-out on Colchester’s 22, driving the maul forward for 15 metres, then recycling the ball through two further phases, before Jamie Everson scored wide out on the left.

The second try was similar; starting from a penalty after a high tackle had forced Luke Williamson off the field, blood streaming from his damaged nose, Jack Coomber finishing off this time.

Half-time substitutes stiffened Colchester’s pack and they gained confidence and possession, but the YM’s eight retained it's edge, Shane Head crossing for the third try after a series of scrums deep in Colchester territory.

The hosts then sparked into life, scoring two converted tries, one from deep after a surprise free kick awarded at a scrum, then a second after a concerted forward drive.

With only one point in the match, the YM’s 100% record looked vulnerable, but the forwards picked up the initiative again, forcing Colchester back into defence and into making errors, and the pack drove a scrum over for the fourth, bonus point try grounded by Captain Ben Hockley.

This was a far tougher and more evenly matched game than the YM have been used to in recent matches, but this was a ideal time for them to raise their game in preparation for the second phase of the season.