missing key member of their strong pack contingent, with skipper Oliver Bray side line though injury together with Richard Woods, Simon Pitham on first team duties & M Sanders-Crook unavailable giving opportunity for young Craig Tierner at flanker and Veteran centre Guy William to further progress his switch to prop to join then front row fraternity with the late and welcome arrival of seasoned forward Rob Wood.

The back were missing regular and vice-captain Sam Jewell as he continues struggles with injury but the side were given a boost as Old Heads Kieran Phelan and Adrian Dalby came out of retirement left the mouth-watering as they joined with as very talented backs combination featuring Lewis Williams, Owen Cowley, Kyle Hutchin, Ross Elmore, Jamie Peterson and very much in form Craig Wilson.

Ipswich YM line up was in a very similar vein as they suffer with injuries within the club were unable to match the host depth of strength within their squad as they struggled to cope with the home contingent despite nearly taking and early lead from the kick off to give the host a wakeup call they could do little to threaten the Harwich Line throughout the day.

The home side were unable to produce as polished performance as we have been use to this season, squandering scoring opportunities with grate abandon at times but such is their work rate this didn’t stop them producing eight try with five conversions to secure a 50 points haul for no reply.

Harwich Lock Mike Cowley was leading from the front as he took the Captains mantle taking the first try as he crashed his way over the line and was shortly joined by son Owen on the score sheet as he created a top draw try of his own with a side step to die for, leaving the defence standing in his wake.

The visitors were battling hard but struggled to cope with the pace of the host backline as Owen Cowley secured his second try of the day and returning retiree Kieran Phelan who delight of the spectators and players alike as he touch down before the break.

There was little rest for the spirited visitors after the turn round, despite losing Mike Cowley with a blooded nose his Harwich side were focused on closing out the game as they kept the momentum going giving their opponent little opportunity with ball in hand and produced further tries from their other retiree Adrian Dalby and nephew Lewis Williams, Ross Elmore and Craig Tierner, Craig Wilson was in great form again, converting five of the eight tries.

Crooked Captain Oly Bray watched frustrated from the side line was pleased with the teams overall all performance in the difficult cold foggy conditioned and was full of praise for Ipswich YM teams effort and commitment.

Team: R Wood, C Hutley, G Williams, M Cowley (C), J London, C Tierner, S Mills Snr, R Miller, M Bow, C Wilson, L Williams, O Cowley, J Peterson, R Elmore, A Dalby, K Hutchins, K Phelan, A Page, D Warren, L Durrant

Harwich now eagerly await their annual festive Boxing Day fixture against neighbours Mistley at Furze Hill ground before returning to league action in the new year.