RUGBY: Ipswich YM play the first of three extremely tough away fixtures on the trot, starting tomorrow in Cambridge versus Cantabrigian. The two sides have never met before and so far this season have accumulated near on identical records.

Ipswich YM play the first of three extremely tough away fixtures on the trot, starting tomorrow in Cambridge versus Cantabrigian.

The two sides have never met before and so far this season have accumulated near on identical records.

Both sides have lost just one league game – to Colchester, by almost identical scorelines and tomorrow's road trip looks like being a very difficult one for coach Noel Holloway's Rushmere squad.

For the first time this year, the YM are able to announce an unchanged side from the previous week's starting line up, the coach being satisfied the blend is beginning to come together nicely after witnessing significant improvements of late.

Last week's thrashing of Harwich & Dovercourt shows things are moving forward at the Medite Shipping backed club. Cantabrigian are also coming off a win.

Last week they made the long trip to Haverhill and came away with a handsome 27-3 win that leaves them just behind the second placed YM by way of an inferior points difference.

With the sides records being so close, the result could very well be decided by the goal kickers of both the sides and the YM's influential scrum half Phil Watts is in fine form right now, notching up three penalties and five conversions out of ten attempts against Harwich last week.

Another player in superb form at the YM is Derek Cawston. Having moved from number eight into the second row, his movement around the field and ball winning attributes have complemented his already excellent jumping technique and it's his form that forces big Chris Conner on to the substitutes bench tomorrow.

The entire pack looks a very mobile and hard working unit with what could be the fittest front row in the division, led by hooker Simon Podd and his two "supports", Andy Farmer and Simon Cordle.

Two of the biggest threats that Cantabs will have to deal with come in the shape of the YM's speedy wingers, John Mitchell and Tim Styles. Both players have proved their defensive qualities in the centres but out on the flanks their superior pace has resulted in numerous scoring chances this season.

The YM Hawks play host to Thurston in the Merit table and skipper Steve Fiddaman will be looking to extend the unbeaten run to five games with another good display tomorrow.