Suffolk Cup Ipswich YM 5 Stowmarket 24

There was to be no giant-killing in this Suffolk Cup quarter-final match, played in awful conditions; the rain constant and often heavy, the day cold.

By the end of the first half both sets of shirts were almost indistinguishable, all the players a uniform mud-brown colour, often from top to toe.

The conditions were a great leveller, and the whole league’s difference in position between these two clubs was not apparent from the play in the field.

Handling mistakes were rife, the ball slippery, players found it difficult to keep their feet, and especially to turn quickly.

The YM’s formidable pack once again carried the fight to their opponents, were dominant in the scrum and held their own in the loose.

Only in the lines-out were the visitors guaranteed a supply of possession, but they were often unable to make any use of the ball won.

Outside, the YM backs played a solid match and defended well.

But it was in their kicking game that Stowmarket showed themselves to be superior to their hosts, finding touch well and kicks upfield finding space, and often turning the YM defence.

Stowmarket opened the scoring in the first five minutes, a fast move involving backs and forwards led to Scott Woolnough crossing the YM line far out on the left.

But for the remainder of the first half the YM were at least the equal of their opponents, and eventually a typical forward drive put Wes Chetty over beneath a bundle of YM bodies to equal the scores.

But in the end the difference in level of the teams told; in the second half Stowmarket gradually got on top, and a break from deep turned the YM defence, with good support play bringing the second try, followed by two more very late in the game, which gave Stowmarket a deserved victory but by a slightly flattering margin.

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