Ipswich defeated Cantabrigians 32-24 at Humber Doucy Lane.

Cantabs started very well but in the end Ipswich prevailed in a dramatic ending to the contest.

In the first few minutes, Cantabrigians were dominant behind the scrum and most impressive with ball in hand, spreading it wide to create attacking opportunities.

There was only four minutes on the clock when Cantabs’ centre David Bloxsom crossed the line on the left wing to post the first unconverted try.

Cantabs continued to dominate for the next 10 minutes, passing and creating space and position with pace and aplomb.

Ipswich’s first real drive came after 15 minutes, with ball in hand. Through captain Chris Blom and his pack, Ipswich created an opportunity for centre Jimmy O’Riordan who jinked clear from more than 30 metres to post a try by the post. The try was converted by Harry Stenton and Ipswich were 7-5 up.

Cantabrigians drove back deep into the Ipswich half but the hosts defended well and it was clear that the match was becoming more balanced.

Ipswich had worked back to half way where mercurial full-back Alexandre Miriski eluded Cantab defenders to sprint forward to create a good attacking position.

The ball was recycled quickly and Mikey Graham drove forward before offloading to Jack Digby who scored close to the posts.

That try was converted by Stenton and Ipswich were 14-5 up, against the early run of play.

The play was looking more balanced now as Ipswich competed strongly but Blom infringed and was sin-binned as the game moved into the last 10 minutes of the half.

That gave the visitors an edge and they were able to work multiple phases, in the end spinning the ball wide right and coming very close to a fine score. However, their final pass was knocked-on close to the line out, giving Ipswich a scrum a few metres out. But Cantabs won that scrum against the head and their dominant pack drove over to give number 8 Pete Collins a fine try, converted by fly-half James Hayward, to make it 14-12.

Ipswich, though a man down, showed some great resolve and responded with a deep drive into the Cantabs’ half, forcing a penalty from prop Jon Perks for which he received a yellow card.

That penalty was converted just before half time by Stenton and Ipswich led 17-12 at the turnround.

The period after the turnround was one of the best for Ipswich.

Cantabs had won ball but the Ipswich defence was aggressive and drove the visitors back.

That led to Ipswich possession deep in the Cantabs’ half and a scrum five metres out.

For once the Ipswich pack looked comfortable and secured quality ball, collected by Blom, who drove over to score a fine try which was unconverted, but made it 22-12.

From a scrum in the Ipswich 22, Cantabrigians’ pack drove forward again to create their third try for a second time, by number 8 Collins. That try was unconverted but the Ipswich lead was reduced to five with seven minutes of normal time remaining, at 22-17.

Cantabrigians kicked forward and gained a great attacking line out in the Ipswich 22.

They won that and after a relentless driving maul the ball was released a few metres short, scrum half Rick Carver jinking right to drive through a gap to post a great try close to the Ipswich posts. That try was converted by James Hayward.

Ipswich now trailed 24-22 as the game went into time added-on, but they weren’t finished.

As the ball was moved right Ipswich scrum half Hayward kicked a low ball forward through the Cantabs’ back line and O’Riordan sprinted through to collect the ball and score a great final try, converted by Harry Stenton, for a 29-24 lead.

Ipswich struggled to secure the game, but gained two kickable penalties in the last two minutes, the second of which was converted by Stenton to complete the score and deny the visitors a bonus point.