Match Report: Southwold 71 – 12 Ipswich YM

Southwold returned to form in emphatic style on a beautiful afternoon at The Common, producing a dominant 71–12 victory over Ipswich YM to head into the Christmas break sitting 6th in Counties 1 Eastern Counties. The result was made all the more pleasing by the welcome return of several key players who had missed recent weeks, adding cohesion and confidence across the side.

From the opening exchanges, Southwold applied sustained pressure, built on a solid scrum platform. Early dominance paid off when Henry Ewart finished close to the posts following strong work around the corner to open the scoring at 7–0.

The forwards continued to assert control, and from a driven lineout maul that drew in defenders, Ewart spotted space on the blindside to break free and score his second of the afternoon, extending the lead to 12–0.

Southwold’s backs then came to the fore. Phases from a scrum saw Luke Wade grubber through behind the defence, with Theo Kenny reacting quickest to collect and dot down for 19–0. A well-executed lineout move followed, with slick handling across the backline allowing Kenny to offload to Tom Keeble, who finished smartly in the corner for 24–0.

Another flowing move starting deep in Southwold’s half saw the backs combine again, Jonny Utting producing two outrageous dummies before powering under the posts to make it 31–0 at half-time.

Ipswich YM kicked off the second half, but Southwold struck almost immediately. A clearance kick was collected by Kenny, who fed Utting to score in the corner for 36–0. The pressure continued, and from scrum ball and one sharp phase, Keeble crossed for his second try to stretch the lead to 43–0.

A scrum penalty gave Southwold the chance to go to the corner, and the forwards made no mistake, driving the maul over the line with George Turner emerging at the bottom. Luke Wade’s conversion brought up the 50-point mark.

Matty Howell, making his first appearance of the season, injected real energy into the game, his direct running creating chaos in the midfield and space out wide for Wade to finish in the corner, making it 57–0.

Ipswich YM showed real spirit and were rewarded with two tries — one from an interception in midfield and another from close range following a scrum — narrowing the score to 57–12.

Southwold refocused strongly in the closing stages, and once again the scrum proved decisive. Two massive shoves allowed Jeremy Aitken to pick up from the base at No.8 and score twice under the posts, rounding off the afternoon and sealing a comprehensive 71–12 victory.

A tremendous team performance, combining forward power with attacking flair, and a fitting way to head into the festive break.

Arn the Wold!