Aussie connection stars for Ipswich

WOMEN'S RUGBY

Ipswich Scorpions 44 Teddington 7

FIESTY finishing from Ipswich's Australian connection provided four of the eight tries scored by the home side heroes at Humber Doucy Lane on Sunday.

Winston Coe, one of the Scorpions' new recruits this season, crossed the line twice in each half and ran aggressively throughout a match which they won in the first half-hour.

Ipswich scored 27 unanswered points through two tries to Coe, two tries to flying winger Emma Johnson and one to Louise Brown on the left wing. Flyhalf Vicky Bradshaw kicked one conversion.

Teddington replied with a try of their own in the ten minutes before half time as Ipswich lost their momentum, turning over too much ball and releasing their stranglehold on the visitors.

Powerful lock Linda Uttley swept through lax defence to score under the posts for Jackie Wells to convert for Teddington.

Ipswich started the second half with a 27-7 lead but struggled to find their way out of the doldrums, having to defend hard as the visitors probed deep into the home half, thriving off a glut of penalties and Ipswich turnovers.

Despite the continuity problems, the Scorpions' line was never threatened - a credit to teamwork in defence and the persistant harassment of livewire scrumhalf Nicky Pettman.

Johnson scorched up the right wing to set up Coe's third try before Pettman tore up the centre of the field from the halfway to feed Coe again for her fourth try which Bradshaw converted.

Forward coach Mike Edmonds' decision to move irresistible force Suzanne Norton in from centre to number eight has yielded satisfactory results and the inspirational powerhouse muscled her way through the last of the fading Teddington defenders to claim the last score of the day.

The squad has gained several new faces since last season and train at Ipswich Rugby Club, Humber Doucy Lane from 6.30pm Wednesday nights. New members are always welcome.