IF Mark Broughton is the superstitious type, believing all bad things come in threes, the 24-year-old must be looking for an injury-free end to the season.

IF Mark Broughton is the superstitious type, believing all bad things come in threes, the 24-year-old must be looking for an injury-free end to the season.

The Ipswich Rugby Club outside centre has endured an injury-ravaged 14 months that often left him wondering if he was jinxed.

After snapping his posterior cruciate ligament at the end of 2008, Broughton went through months of rehab but soon after making his return he broke his wrist which kept him out of the start of this season.

You would have thought Broughton had endured enough bad luck but apparently not.

He played just three games after overcoming the wrist injury before breaking his thumb, forcing him to spend yet more time on the sidelines.

Fortunately, there is a happy ending to this story.

After the thumb healed his comeback match was against Harlow earlier this month and it didn't take Broughton long to make up for lost time.

Six minutes into the contest a break by winger Tim Hopkins resulted in the winger cross kicking to the centre of the field where Broughton was on hand to gleefully pick up and touch down under the posts.

“It was a great feeling,” admitted Broughton, whose side went on to record a 43-5 win.

“It's been tough at times but it makes it all worthwhile when you come back like that.

“I've not had a lot of luck with injuries for the past year or so but hopefully I'm over the worst of it now and I can just concentrate on playing.”

Ipswich's winning run of four games came to a halt last weekend away at Romford & Gidea Park but apart from this blip their 2010 form so far has been sensational.

“We had the big break over Christmas due to the weather but since we came back we have been playing very well,” added Broughton, whose father, David, is the director of rugby at Humber Doucy Lane.

“We're functioning well as a unit and we are all determined to keep climbing the table.”

Broughton put much of the credit down to head coach Aaron Brown, who has steered the first XV away from the London Two North East trapdoor.

“Being a Kiwi, Aaron is very passionate about his rugby and that really comes through to all the players.

“The first team is really enjoying the way he coaches and it has showed in our results lately.

“He encourages a running game and that's obviously a good thing for a back like myself.”