Southwold 18 Ipswich YM 0 (24-2-2008) This was a game truly worthy of a final. Both teams were keen to exhibit all that is good about rugby. However, in the end it was Southwold who finished the game as deserving winners to win the Suffolk Plate for the sixth time - more than any other club. Both teams began with a mixture of enterprise and bite, attacking using width and driving up in the tight. Impressive defensive work from each team frustrated the other, but this did not stem the positive multi-phased game that caught the substantial crowd's imagination. Southwold tried every means possible to score but a little lack of patience and a huge defensive effort from YM thwarted them. The Ipswich YM pack gained the ascendency in the final minutes of the first half, Southwold managed to repulse the tide and regroup at half-time. This massive defensive effort proved crucial to the outcome of the game. Southwold ironed out the issues during half-time and produced a period of sustained attacking rugby that YM found difficult to contain. The Southwold forwards hit the breakdowns with more passion and provided a platform for their dangerous backs to strike. The opening try of the match stemmed from good forward retention; fly-half Chris Withey demanded the ball which was spun through the hands to outside centre Kevin Cayley who produced a clever line to dab the ball down under the posts. Duncan Hume converted. Southwold continued to step up the pace as gaps began to appear in the YM defensive line. Another incursion into the YM 22 by the forwards produced good ball allowing backs and forwards to combine, giving Piers Currie the opportunity to beat his winger and score in the corner. Hooker James Hall and No.8 Ben Copling began tearing holes around the fringes but big hearts and tackles from YM limited Southwold to two more penalties from the boot of Duncan Hume. Ipswich YM through the proverbial kitchen sink at Southwold but they ultimatly ran out of ideas. After the whistle it was left to Southwold captain Adam Smith to hold aloft the spoils and to thank his team, coaches and supporters for their tremendous collective effort. Southwold Team: Lee Clack, Piers Currie, Kevin Cayley, Duncan Hume, Peter Holmes, Chris Withey, Russell Hume, B Coleman, J Hall, S Ward, A Smith, I Flat, G Starks, N Hunt, B Copling. Subs: P Anthony, L Seaman, S Watson, E McDaniel. More pictures from the match takne by Andrew Sarek can be seen at www.kodakgallery.com/sarek/rugby/ipswich_ym_v_southwold Next Saturday Southwold travel to Broadland in a return to league duties.