Ipswich YM 34 Bury St Edmunds II 14: Rugby match report

Ipswich YM 34

Bury St Edmunds II 14

YM started confidently with Barny Horsfield nearly gathering an early interception and providing an early signal they  were confident and eager to make and take opportunities.

Indiscipline saw a penalty to YM and a powerful peel away from the lineout by YM lock Harry Williamson saw him touch down. 

From the restart, YM were penalised for holding on in the tackle. Bury’s quick tap penalty allowed them to drive over the YM try line and score a converted try.

Now it was YM’s turn to benefit from indiscipline at the restart with Bury being penalised just outside their 22. YM elected to kick the penalty to regain the lead 8-7.

Strong interplay from Williamson, Josh Rhind, Ben Hockley and Corey Parfitt provided metres and momentum allowing Horsfield to break clear.

An excellent cover tackle from the Bury full-back stopped the YM fly-half 10 metres from the try line.

But a penalty was awarded which YM kicked to increase their lead to 11-7 as the first half ended.  

The second half began with YM again showing confidence and intent in their play, scrum-half Tommy Hale’s box-kick drawing a penalty from Bury.

Ipswich YM huddle after their win over Bury (Image: Gary Dod)

The line out was secured by YM and the drive by Ben Hockley was supported by Ben Alfs scoring a deserved try in the corner.

Then great pressure in midfield saw YM’s George Hendry, Corey and Matt Houlden combine and surge into the Bury half.

Houlden's pass allowed Connor McLaughlan to cross the try line for a converted try under the posts.

This drew a renewed effort from Bury playing neat, tight rugby rewarded with a converted try to bring them back into the game at 23-14.

But an infringement by Bury at a breakdown resulted in a penalty. YM elected to kick and extend their lead to 26-14 with five minutes remaining.   

In the final minute, YM silkily shifted play across the pitch for YM wing Ed Parkin to score the bonus point try in the corner.

Horsfield's conversion was successful to register a final score of 34-14 to YM.