RUGBY UNION: Felixstowe 13 Mersea Island 14. This top of Suffolk Merit Table Division II clash produced an entertaining game and tight finish. Mersea scraped home to take over top spot from Felixstowe.

Felixstowe 13 Mersea Island 14

THIS top of Suffolk Merit Table Division II clash produced an entertaining game and tight finish. Mersea scraped home to take over top spot from Felixstowe.

Neither side took full advantage of the very strong wind that favoured Felixstowe in the first half.

Felixstowe had a powerful scrum which gave the Islanders considerable trouble but was brought under control as the game went on.

Felixstowe took an early lead with a 22-metre penalty by Olberholze.

Mersea worked their way to the opposition 22 and having lost their line-out, turned over the ball for No.8 Harry Ackerman to power his way through the opposition from 20 metres. Paul Le Marquand added the conversion.

The hosts put Mersea under concerted pressure for a full 15 minutes but could not find a way through the excellent defence.

Then Mersea centre Andrew Patterson intercepted and sprinted to their 22 where he set up the ball, and following a couple of drives Mersea spun the ball out to Ackerman who went over for his second try. Le Marquand converted to stretch the lead to 14-3.

Once again Felixstowe put Mersea under pressure and just on half time the opposition scrum half Dom Long went over under the posts for a converted try.

Despite considerable second half pressure Felixstowe could find no way through until Olberholze struck a fine 30-metre penalty.