WYMONDHAM RFC 23pts (Tries: S Jones, P Reed. Conv:T Wilson 2. Pens Reed 2, Wilson.)IPSWICH RUFC 38pts (Tries: N Joseland 2, S J van Rensberg, G Nesindande, T Lloyd.

LONDON 4 NORTH EAST

WYMONDHAM RFC 23pts (Tries: S Jones, P Reed. Conv:T Wilson 2. Pens Reed 2, Wilson.)

IPSWICH RUFC 38pts (Tries: N Joseland 2, S J van Rensberg, G Nesindande, T Lloyd. Conv C Humphreys 2. Pens: Humphreys 3)

Another home defeat for Wymondham, this time to second placed Ipswich in a game that bore so many similarities to their previous encounter at Humberdoucy Lane at the end of September. Twenty points down in the first half hour, slack defending, an early tactical substitution and finally a second half comeback that just wasn't enough to secure victory. Unlike last week when Wymondham lost to the better team this week they will be ruing the their failure to keep their guard up in the first forty minutes slumping to 27-6 at half time with only two Pat Reed penalties against four tries to Ipswich and then three missed try scoring chances in the second period.

In the second half Wymondham mounted a spirited fight back coming to within seven points of levelling the score before finally allowing the visitors to extend their lead once again. Leathes Prior man of the match, Tom Wilson was outstanding varying play and releasing his backs that at one point had Ipswich reeling and they desperately tried to slow the game down to halt the Wymondham onslaught.

Eleven minutes of solid pressure by Wymondham saw young Seb Jones scoring in the corner with a debut try in his first home start and then Wilson converted magnificently from out wide. Wymondham continued to press with the forwards now dominating their much bigger counterparts and Reed seeing space behind chipped over and chased down his kick to score Wymondham's second Wilson's conversion brought huge cheers from the large crowd who began to suspect an upset was on the cards.

Unfortunately, Wymondham's current nemesis reared its head once again when they missed three chances to score whilst camped on Ipswich's line on the first occasion a loose ball allowed the visitors to counter attack and Humphrey's notched a penalty whilst Aaron Swanborough received a yellow card. Nevertheless Wymondham were still dominant, even with fourteen men, winning a penalty that Wilson converted.

Once again Wymondham camped on the Ipswich line but a loose pass from a scoring opportunity allowed yet another breakout, this time the experienced Ipswich No8 Nick Joseland smashed his way over the line totally against the run of play. The third and final opportunity came following a sublime line break by Jon Loades who in turn released to Ian Harris who was brought down inches short, Wymondham eventually got the ball over the line but it was not grounded.

Still looking to pull back the deficit Dave Masdin brought on another teenager, Ed Saul, for his first XV debut but whilst applying most of the pressure it was Ipswich who scored the final points with another Humphreys penalty.

With six games left it is desperately tight at the bottom and next week's away trip to Dagenham is of significant importance with the Essex team just three points above. During the last two weeks Wymondham have displayed some stunning rugby but they are hiding their light under a bushel and need to expand their talent for eighty minutes to reap their just rewards in the remaining 6 games.

Leathes Prior Man of the Match - Tom Wilson