The recently-formed Ipswich Scorpions women’s rugby union team are holding an open session for experienced and novice players keen on playing the sport.

Eastern Counties Women suffered the first defeat this season in a tough encounter away to table-topping Leicestershire, despite playing arguably their best rugby this campaign.

It’s the Bury Rugby Greene King IPA Sevens this Sunday, one of the highlights of the Suffolk sporting calendar. MARK HEATH previews the event.

The younger players from Woodbridge Rugby Club’s youth section – the minis - and their parents were out in force in glorious sunshine last Sunday.

A Suffolk soldier soaked up the “unreal” atmosphere generated by 80,000 fans at the home of rugby union.

Eastern Counties Ladies got off to a winning start, 26-20, against Warwickshire Women at Stowmarket RFC, in their Gill Burns Women’s County Championship Plate first round match.

Woodbridge Colts defeated Colchester 31-0 to win the Eastern Counties Colts Cup at Hatchley Barn, on Sunday, to complete the first of a potential cup treble.

London Two North

Ipswich 17

Norwich 19

The talk before the start was of a real derby game, commitment from both sides, no quarter given or asked for – and that was just what was delivered.

Outgoing Bury St Edmunds head coach, Gavin Hogg, admits his decision to leave The Haberden at the end of the season required “a lot of thought and conversation” – and he hopes to cross paths with Bury again.

Trail-blazing Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club director of rugby Gavin Hogg is to leave the club at the end of the season, it emerged tonight.

Eastern Counties One

Ipswich YM 31

Thurston 27

For much of this match YM’s late season revival seemed to have stalled, and it looked as if the team was going down to another defeat – until an amazing rally in the closing stages of the game saw them snatch victory with their very last move.

London 3 North

Wanstead 93

Stowmarket 3

This was a brutal away trip for a much-changed Stowmarket 15 at Wanstead, but it was difficult to see this final score coming.

London 2 North

Ipswich 12

Woodford 35

After a really tough sequence of fixtures that had seen Ipswich play three consecutive away games against teams in the top-half of the table, the Suffolk side had the chance to get back to winning ways, against Woodford, at Humber Doucy Lane.

He’s one of the most influential sporting coaches on the planet right now and if I were an England rugby union player, I would follow Eddie Jones to the end of the world.

Tui Uru (Ipswich) was among the try scorers as Eastern Counties beat Middlesex 34-12 in the RFU under-20 Shield at Shelford, to clinch a quarter-final place.

Women in and around Ipswich are being encouraged to scrum down to Humber Doucy Lane, where a ladies rugby team has reformed.

Women’s National Championships SE North 1

Woodbridge Amazons 20

Harlow 0

The Amazons ended their 2016/17 season with a heart-warming win over Essex rivals Harlow.

A record number of young rugby players transformed Hadleigh, into the focal point of Mini-TAG rugby in Europe… and beyond.

Suffolk RFU Chadacre Cup Final

Woodbridge Warriors 18

Southwold 15

The Woodbridge Warriors retained the Suffolk RGU Chadacre Cup by upsetting a higher division team in the final for the second straight season.

Ipswich Rugby Club are hoping to raise around £850,000 to build a new clubhouse, in time for their 150th anniversary in three years time, and are keen to hear from any potential benefactors.

There’s a David versus Goliath clash in the Suffolk Chadacre Cup final this weekend.

Ipswich YM 33 Wymondham 22

Stowmarket 15 Southwold 8

Woodbridge Warriors travelled to face a much-changed Wisbech side, from the one they had beat 48-12 on November 5, and lost 39-12.

England Sevens, featuring ex-St Joseph’s College pupil, Ethan Waddleton, were beaten 19-0 in their quarter-final against New Zealand at the Las Vegas sevens.

Woodbridge Warriors booked their place in the final of the Suffolk Chadacre Cup, after a 37-12 victory over Clacton.

Women’s National Championships SE North 1

Wymondham Wasps 34

Woodbridge Amazons 5

Buoyed by a super performance in last week’s win over Chelmsford, the Suffolk side were determined to get closer than the 36-12 loss to the league leaders just a few weeks ago.

Eastern Counties 1

Ipswich YM 8

Woodbridge Warriors 27

Woodbridge opened the scoring in this fiery local derby as full-back Jamie Smith touched down after an arcing sprint saw him receive fast ball.

Women’s National Championships SE North 1

Woodbridge Amazons 32

Chelmsford 5

This rebuilding year is fast turning into a terrific league campaign for the Woodbridge ladies as they crushed the visiting Chelmsford side by 27 points.