Ipswich earned the bragging rights from this East Anglian derby, winning a tight contest 12-10 at Humber Doucy Lane.
Captain Chris Blom scored both the home side’s tries in the first half, Alan Barker successful from one of two conversions he was offered.
Jonny Wheater reduced the defeicit to 12-5 just before the break and Laurence Austin’s try in the second half, reduced the gap further, but missed conversions and penalties proved costly for the side from Norfolk.
It was a nervy game of mistakes that could easily have gone either way. In the end the honours went to Ipswich, who secured their mid-table position for now.
The hosts were on top in every phase for the first 15 minutes, but despite dominating the ruck, lineout and scrums, they committed too many infringements, giving Norwich the opportunity to relieve their lines.
Ipswich pressure in the Norwich 22 led to a kickable Ipswich penalty attempt, but Barker stroked the ball against the post.
Ipswich drove back again and finally, after 13 minutes, their pressure led to the first score of the game as a forward drive was completed by Blom – the conversion was missed.
Norwich finally broke into the Ipswich half on 15 minutes, forcing the pace and winning a penalty, but Chris Parrott spurned his kick for the visitors.
Norwich were in control in this period and Ipswich conceded another penalty and once again it seemed straightforward, but Parrott missed again.
As Norwich continued to press they conceded a scrappy ball to Ipswich and Alexandre Miriski broke away from the 10 metre line and a ruck was formed.
Ipswich recycled to release Mikey Graham around 40 metres out and he drove through some despairing tackles before offloading to Blom who sprinted clear to score a great try, grounding the ball between the posts with around 30 minutes played. Barker converted this time.
Norwich pressed towards the end of the half and, on the stroke of half time, worked a great try.
The Ipswich tackle defence was good but Norwich offloaded well to keep the ball alive in the bottom right corner before Wheater grounded the ball in the corner. The conversion was missed.
At the start of the second half Norwich were as dominant as Ipswich had been in the early part of the first.
As the visitors attacked, Ipswich had to tackle well and Blom made a notable defensive tackle and stole the ball to deny a try.
After 13 minutes Ipswich’s Jack Digby was sin-binned for entering a ruck from the side.
As often happens with a man short, Ipswich seemed revitalised and secured the ball through multiple phases to drive fowards and relieve their line.
The hosts sought to capitalise on a great breakaway from Ryan Potkins who sprinted clear before releasing Carlton Littlechild in a move which took Ipswich deep into the Norwich 22.
Graham and Blom worked well from an ensuing ruck but in the end another indiscretion yielded a penalty to Norwich.
Ipswich held Norwich at bay until they conceded a free-kick in their own 22. Norwich took that quickly and Austin drove over to score a try on the touchline. Parrott’s conversion attempt hit the post.
The last 10 minutes proved nervy for the hosts, but the game was over when Ipswich won a scrum on halfway and Graham hoofed the ball over the club house to seal the win.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here