Rugby club get a lesson in playing the ref
By John Senior on Monday, 18th October 2010.
RFU JUNIOR VASE, SECOND ROUND: Ipswich YMCA 41 Haverhill 15. Match report.
After their first win of the season at Fakenham last week, Haverhill travelled to play Ipswich YMCA in the second round of the RFU Junior Vase Knockout Cup.
Haverhill have had a difficult start to the year, but this was still an opportunity to test themselves against a side who were full of confidence, who have won all of their games this year and who were top of Eastern Counties League Division Two, the division Haverhill were promoted from last year.
Some of the players arrived at the last minute and Adrian Cooper suffered a puncture, which meant that there had to be some adjustment to the pack, with Ben Jackson filling in at tight head prop.
Despite this late change, Haverhill started the game really well. Ipswich were playing confidently and looked well coached but Haverhill were matching them in all phases, with the backs looking quite dangerous with ball in hand.
After ten minutes, Haverhill were awarded a penalty on half way and, from the ensuing line-out the pack drove towards the line. They were held up just short but, from the scrum, quick passing put Kieran Ewens in at the corner, who then converted his try from the touchline.
From the following kick-off, a safe catch and kick from Jake Plumridge led to another line-out on the Ipswich 22. A penalty was awarded to Haverhill, and Kieran Ewens made it 10-0.
At this point, the Ipswich team were definitely second best and were becoming quite frustrated, but gradually, over the next ten minutes they started to put some good moves together and, after 24 minutes, the pressure told with a converted try in the corner.
Immediately, a poor kick-off from Jake Plumridge put the pressure back on Haverhill, and Ipswich scored again in the corner.
After 30 minutes, Haverhill produced the best move and try of the match. A break by Jake Plumridge from his own half was supported by Adam Hunt, who put Mike Woods on for a try at the corner to make it 15-12
Unfortunately, the referee then made a bad mistake, which turned out to be the pivotal point of the match. Having awarded a free kick to Ipswich, he allowed them to pass rather than kick the ball, and Ipswich scored again in the corner.
So, Haverhill went in a half-time five points behind, after a half in which they had played the better rugby. They were also becoming frustrated with the referee, who was really only guilty of being inexperienced and unclear with his decisions.
Ipswich realised this and played the referee much better - so much so that when a scuffle, initiated by Ipswich, broke out ten minutes into the second half, Martin Ransome was sent off for punching and Adam Hunt was sin binned with no Ipswich player being penalised.
Although they worked hard during the time they were below full strength, apart from one or two isolated runs Haverhill did not again pose a serious threat and Ipswich scored three further tries and a drop goal to run out winners 41-15.
Special mention should be made of Ben Jackson, who gave his all in an unfamiliar position until being replaced at half-time.
Also, Haverhill should take heart from their first 30 minutes, when they played some of their best rugby of the year.
With a settled side, especially in the front row, and recognising that they need to play and not blame the referee, they have nothing to fear from many of the teams they will face in the coming weeks.
After their first win of the season at Fakenham last week, Haverhill travelled to play Ipswich YMCA in the second round of the RFU Junior Vase Knockout Cup.
Haverhill have had a difficult start to the year, but this was still an opportunity to test themselves against a side who were full of confidence, who have won all of their games this year and who were top of Eastern Counties League Division Two, the division Haverhill were promoted from last year.
Some of the players arrived at the last minute and Adrian Cooper suffered a puncture, which meant that there had to be some adjustment to the pack, with Ben Jackson filling in at tight head prop.
Despite this late change, Haverhill started the game really well. Ipswich were playing confidently and looked well coached but Haverhill were matching them in all phases, with the backs looking quite dangerous with ball in hand.
After ten minutes, Haverhill were awarded a penalty on half way and, from the ensuing line-out the pack drove towards the line. They were held up just short but, from the scrum, quick passing put Kieran Ewens in at the corner, who then converted his try from the touchline.
From the following kick-off, a safe catch and kick from Jake Plumridge led to another line-out on the Ipswich 22. A penalty was awarded to Haverhill, and Kieran Ewens made it 10-0.
At this point, the Ipswich team were definitely second best and were becoming quite frustrated, but gradually, over the next ten minutes they started to put some good moves together and, after 24 minutes, the pressure told with a converted try in the corner.
Immediately, a poor kick-off from Jake Plumridge put the pressure back on Haverhill, and Ipswich scored again in the corner.
After 30 minutes, Haverhill produced the best move and try of the match. A break by Jake Plumridge from his own half was supported by Adam Hunt, who put Mike Woods on for a try at the corner to make it 15-12
Unfortunately, the referee then made a bad mistake, which turned out to be the pivotal point of the match. Having awarded a free kick to Ipswich, he allowed them to pass rather than kick the ball, and Ipswich scored again in the corner.
So, Haverhill went in a half-time five points behind, after a half in which they had played the better rugby. They were also becoming frustrated with the referee, who was really only guilty of being inexperienced and unclear with his decisions.
Ipswich realised this and played the referee much better - so much so that when a scuffle, initiated by Ipswich, broke out ten minutes into the second half, Martin Ransome was sent off for punching and Adam Hunt was sin binned with no Ipswich player being penalised.
Although they worked hard during the time they were below full strength, apart from one or two isolated runs Haverhill did not again pose a serious threat and Ipswich scored three further tries and a drop goal to run out winners 41-15.
Special mention should be made of Ben Jackson, who gave his all in an unfamiliar position until being replaced at half-time.
Also, Haverhill should take heart from their first 30 minutes, when they played some of their best rugby of the year.
With a settled side, especially in the front row, and recognising that they need to play and not blame the referee, they have nothing to fear from many of the teams they will face in the coming weeks.
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