London 2 North Ipswich 24 Wanstead 39 The away side took the lead after a ten-metre line-out led to a tidy catch and powerful drive, with Simon Bird touching down, writes John Kornjaca.

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich on the attack against Wanstead. Picture: STEVE ALDRIDGEIpswich on the attack against Wanstead. Picture: STEVE ALDRIDGE (Image: Archant)

From the restart, Pruce ran strongly whilst Ipswich struggled to organise their defence and the centre scored a simple try. No conversion but a 0-10 lead for the visitors.

The home side battled back. A superb Ipswich counter attack in which Carlton Littlechild made an initial break, supported by the energetic Jermaine Watson saw the home side carry deep into the Wanstead 22.

As Watson took a tackle he was able to effect a neat off-load to scrum half Josh Hayward, resulting in a super try for the home side. A simple conversion for Corey Button and Ipswich were right back in the game at 7-10 on 31 minutes.

Wanstead came straight back at the Black & Golds and following another break down the Ipswich right by Calver a great defensive effort by Barker and Littlechild forced a fumble, followed by an Ipswich knock-on.

From the resultant scrummage the ball was again transferred to the powerful Spruce who again capitalised on some weak cover by scoring another Wanstead try. Coughlan hit the conversion to give the visitors some breathing space at 17-7.

Back came Ipswich, as the elusive Watson again rounded a defender and went over for another score to the delight of the home crowd. Another Button conversion and, as the sides moved in to the half-time it was 17-14 to the visitors.

The second half commenced with Wanstead looking rejuvenated and Ipswich, despite their late score, looking somewhat deflated. Lithuanian winger Lisauskas made the most of a weak defence to score in the corner and make it 22-14.

Ipswich rallied as Grimwood released Watson yet again. His speed and evasive running took him in to the Wanstead red-zone where he was tackled but Grimwood, took the off load and dashed through to score another Ipswich try, converted by Button and it was 22-21.

That was as close as the Suffolk side would get though, as Wanstead drove forwards to score an unconverted try to make it 27-21.

Button made it 27-24 with a penalty, but Wanstead pulled away for the win.