London North 2 - Ipswich 39 Canvey Island 27

A game that on paper should have been an easy win for Ipswich, was disrupted by a determined effort from Canvey Island.

Ipswich, who had notched up 70 points in their last two games, simply forgot what makes them good.

With ball in hand and running at speed, the home side are a match for anyone in the league.

So it was with some dismay that the spectators were treated to the “let’s make life difficult for ourselves show” in the first half.

Having conceded three tries, two converted, and scored two of their own, the coach’s half-time team-talk was vociferous to say the least.

The second half began badly for Ipswich, with Canvey extending their lead with a well-taken penalty occasioning further ‘encouragement’ from the technical area.

Finally Ipswich rediscovered their mojo and began to break play up. Hooker Brad James made some notable runs and both he and captain-for-the-day, Chris Blom, scored tries.

Craig Burrows had his kicking boots on again and began to pull the score around.

As the game began to ebb away from them, Canvey struggled to keep up with the superior fitness of the home side, who crossed the line with further tries from Tim Hopkins and Carlton Littlechild.

The half’s closing minutes were marred by a head injury to scrum-half John Lasbrey, who had to be helped off the field.

The final score of 39-27 was slightly flattering for Ipswich.