Brentwood entertained Ipswich in an eagerly awaited match between the local team who have one of the best defences in the league and Ipswich who have one of the best attacking teams.

On a bright cold afternoon Ipswich kicked off with the advantage of the slope and a keen following wind.

What followed was a close contest between two teams committed to a game of open rugby.

The home team started well, particularly by the forwards in both open and tight.

But, as so often has happened in recent weeks, needless penalties were given away taking the pressure off the visitors.

From an infringement for obstruction, Ipswich kicked an easy penalty to give them a 3-0 lead.

With the second quarter well underway, and against the run of play, Brentwood were penalised for offside in a maul and Ipswich increased their lead to 6-0.

This was the last score of a half in which the Brentwood defence, by forwards and backs alike, was terrific.

Ipswich were never allowed to release their talented backs.

Unfortunately for the home team, their efforts went unrewarded when two easy penalty kicks were missed.

Metcalf had an impressive first half putting in some notable tackling while Twidale was giving an assured performance at scrum half.

Brentwood had everything to play for in the second half with slope and wind to their advantage.

The home team dictated play in the third quarter and had a superior territorial advantage.

However, this pressure failed to produce points, with another two easy penalties being missed.

Brentwood's attacking options were sorely exposed with the forwards lacking the injured Williams, unable to get much beyond the gain line and the backs lacking an incisive runner to open the Ipswich defence.

With 10 minutes remaining, with Brentwood's pack dominating the tight play, Ipswich were awarded another penalty to take the score to 9-0.

The home team then finally scored, with a penalty from White.

However, in the final minutes, Brentwood's concentration lapsed and the visitors scored two quick tries, one of which was converted to give a 21-3 victory to Ipswich.

This was a result which did not reflect the pattern of play.

The game was won and lost by Ipswich's greater confidence, their better strategic play (ie using the slope and wind) and the conversion of most of their penalties.

Brentwood will be disappointed at this result.

This was the fourth game this season that was so closely contested for three-quarters of the play.

They deserved something from this game, if only for their endeavour and they might have stolen the honours if the early penalties had been converted.

The coaches, led by Trevor Simon, have done a good job this season but they need more ammunition to take and keep Brentwood at the top of this league.

Elliot Shaw is too much the focus of crossing the gain-line and out wide there is too little pace and penetration.

Brentwood: White, Church, Gibson, McConnal, Webster, Van Rooyen, Twidale (Coombes), Kirby, Brook, Taylor, Killington, Steggles, Pain (Fowley), Shaw and Metcalf.

Brentwood's next match is this Sunday at 2 pm against Rochford at King Georges Playing Fields in the Eastern Counties Cup.

On current form Brentwood should proceed to the next round.

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