London 2 North East Cantabrigians 8 Ipswich 12 Ipswich managed their first away win of the season in what was a rather dour affair at Cambridge-based Cantabs.

The most notable moment of a rather uneventful first period saw Ipswich lock Mike Graham go off with a rib injury and be replaced by improving 18-year-old David Honeywood. Cantabs led 3-0 at the break thanks to an easy penalty kick for Nick Denham.

A period of wayward Ipswich kicking allowed Cantabs some easy possession. The hosts went through the phases following a penalty and line-out, with winger Francois Eve going clear to score.

Ipswich did start to improve their ball retention and build a territorial advantage, with tiring Cantabs’ error count started to creep up.

The visitors decided to tap and go at penalties and eventually Jake Goodwin crashed forwards, 18-year-old winger Luke Uru quickly moved the ball to his right and found left wing Jermaine Watson to sprint 15 metres and dive over for a well-worked try.

With the score now 8-5 as the sides entered the final quarter, Cantabs looked dispirited and fatigued.

Ipswich continued to exert pressure and, as their confidence grew, the black and golds pressed forwards with a lot more determination when in possession.

Following a high tackle on Honeywood, full-back Littlechild made a tremendous break through the centre of the field drawing yet another Ipswich penalty courtesy of a high tackle on Adam Pickering.

Ipswich again went quickly from the penalty and Luke Steward popped up on the right to release Uru who smartly finished for Ipswich in the corner. Barker adding a fine conversion to give Ipswich the lead.

The final 10 minutes of play saw the energetic Ipswich defence swarming all over the blue and whites who simply could not get out of their own half because of a superb team effort.

The Suffolk side continued with their defensive press finishing the match deep in the Cantabs half securing a much-needed away win to move the team up to sixth in the table.