Sat 18 Jan 2025
IPSWICH YM RUFC First XV vs THURSTON RANGERS RUFC - Match Report
18th January 2025
The YM started the game in a dominant fashion on a chilly afternoon at the Rushmere ground. Thurston conceded a penalty for offside which was kicked into touch for a 5m attacking lineout. With the lineout secured, the forwards impressively gained a few more metres before the ball was quickly switched through the hands of the backs for right wing, Corey Parfitt, to cut back inside to open the YM’s scoring after just two minutes. Barny Horsfield kicked the conversion for an early 7-0 lead.
Thurston struggled to get out of their own half as a very confident YM continued to dominate the early exchanges. Jake Goodwin stole a Thurston lineout and surged into the Thurston 22 releasing Adam Sawyer in the left wing channel. Ads handed off a couple of defenders but was held up 5m from the try line but set up a ruck which delivered quick ball to YM scrum-half Toby Ruffles whose swift pass provided Adam O’Leary with some time to dictate play and his cross-field kick was only just gathered by a surprised Thurston under pressure from the YM backs.
The try line drop out from Thurston was gathered by the YM and the tempo of their play – which had been somewhat lacking at their last home game against Mersea Island – stretched Thurston from one side of the pitch to the other. Corey broke the Thurston defensive line and offloaded to Jake to score the YM’s second try after 13 minutes. The tricky conversion was successfully kicked for a 14-0 lead.
The YM forward pack started to get ascendency in the scrum with Monty Douglas and Andy Gostling providing some huge power in the second row whilst the front row channelled it into the Thurston pack to huge effect. It was no surprise that the pack secured a deserved scrum penalty near halfway which was again kicked to 5m for a YM attacking lineout. Connor McLaughlan was relishing his front row role and featured in numerous drives into contact whilst also putting in numerous tackles to restrict the Thurston forwards and draw its dangerous midfield out of space and into breakdown contact.
A clearance kick from Thurston was gathered by Joe Pearce with Barny in support in their own half. Defence was quickly turned into attack as the ball was neatly shifted through midfield and into the Thurston 22. Andrew Goodbourn gathered the ball at the breakdown and used his power to cross the line for the YM’s third score on 24 minutes. Barny converted the try for a 21-0 lead.
The YM’s forward and backs were working well in unison and the team looked dangerous in open play. The bonus point was secured on 38 minutes following another good move through the backs line with Corey only stopped from scoring in the corner by a high tackle with the referee awarding a penalty try. The score at half time was therefore 28-0 to the YM.
Any hope of respite for the visitors was dispelled from the kick-off to start the second half as Jake collected the ball and broke tackles to surge into the Thurston half with Connor in support allowing Monty to power over the try line. The conversion was successfully kicked for a 35-0 lead on 42 minutes.
The confidence of the YM team was now in total ascendency with the forwards setting up clean ball for the YM’s half backs it was no surprise to see the lead extended further. A great flowing move was finished by Barny cutting back inside through the Thurston defence and accelerating to score under the posts for a converted try and a 42-0 lead.
Within minutes the YM had scored again as quick ball was whipped through the hands of Toby, Adam and George Hendry to release Barny who accelerated through the Thurston defence before popping a simple pass to George to score the YM’s seventh try which was converted for a 49-0 score line.
The strong bench was now utilised as the impressive Monty, Connor and Joe made way for Ali Bevan, Josh Rhind and Matt Houlden respectively. Connor was back on the pitch shortly afterwards as Jake had to leave the field after taking a knock.
YM pressure was applied again as forwards and back moved the ball across the pitch allowing Matt Houlden to score a try in the corner with his first touch of the ball. The tricky conversion was missed with the score now at 54-0.
Unfortunately, a Thurston player was shown a red card for dissent in the closing minutes of this difficult game for the opposition but this seemed to fire up the team and they suddenly had renewed momentum. The YM defended their try line well but it was no surprise when Thurston centre, Ed Ballam, scored a consolation and converted try under the posts with the final play of the game.
Final score: Ipswich YM 54 vs Thurston Rangers 7.
It was also great news to hear that the YM Hawks had won their game away at Colchester IV by a decisive 74-0 margin. Well done to all players, coaches and supporters.
We are the Y!
