Cup holders Ipswich made their first-ever visit to Mersea Island for this much-delayed first round of the Suffolk Cup and were unceremoniously put to the sword by the Islanders, who play two divisions below them in the London leagues.

Mersea took the initiative and Pete Le Marquand touched down after just three minutes.

The Islanders then soaked up the strong Ipswich response and again went on the attack to keep the visitors under pressure in their 22.

But strong tackling saw Ipswich turn defence into attack and they broke through to score an unconverted try next to the posts.

From the restart Mersea were put under pressure but then winger Jordan Day who made plenty of ground before passing back inside where the ball went through several pairs of hands before Jon Williams touched down under the posts, adding the conversion to take the lead again 12-5.

Day then outpaced the defence to score halfway between the touchline and posts.

Williams added a fine conversion and the lead was stretched to 19-5.

The Islanders went on the attack again and from a 15-metre scrum Lee Clasby broke through to score next to the posts. Williams added the conversion.

Ipswich countered and spread the ball wide for their quick winger to go round and touch down under the posts for a converted try.

The Islanders responded with a kick from centre Darren Beanland for Steve Haycock to chase and touchdown for an unconverted try.

Ipswich started the second half strongly and within ten minutes had scored a converted try to narrow the deficit.

The Islanders knew that they were going to come under pressure but went immediately on the attack and Pete Le Marquand went over to score in the corner.

Williams then converted a penalty head on to the posts from just outside the visitor's 22.

Ipswich hit back with a converted score under the posts for the final score of the game but it wasn't enough.

Published Tuesday, February 25, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette