Forwards coach Clive Bell believes struggling Ipswich’s weekend victory over Ruislip was a milestone in the club’s season.

Saturday’s 33-31 victory at Humber Doucy Lane was only the London 2 North champions’ second victory of the season in London 1 and followed two heavy away defeats, which were sandwiched between a morale-sapping home reverse to Old Priorians.

After eight games, Ipswich are third from bottom in their new division but a weight has been lifted, ahead of this weekend’s trip to Chingford, according to Bell.

“The guys have had to adjust (their games) this season and teams have been doing to us what we were doing to our opponents last season,” he said.

“I think Saturday was a milestone, we have really turned the corner and the players have proved that they can do it.

“Against Old Priorians two weeks ago, we gave away two tries in the final 10 minutes to lose the game whereas on Saturday, we were able to calm things down.

“I think the guys felt under pressure to perform and it was nice to watch everything click. Mikey Graham was man of the match, while our scrums and set-pieces probably won us the game.”

Ipswich lost just two games on their way to the London 2 title last season, accruing 100 points in the process, but have found the step up tough so far, conceding more points this season than the whole of the last campaign already.

“Last year we put a string of results together and it was a nice place to be,” added Bell.

“I am not saying that isn’t the case this season but both the first and second team won at home at the weekend and left the pitch knowing they had earned it.

“That automatically brings the players closer because of they connection they have built on the pitch and all the guys stayed around on Saturday and we had a good social.

“There was a buzz and hopefully we can take that into training, ahead of this weekend.”