MISTLEY Rugby Club travelled to Hadleigh in the semi-final of the Suffolk Plate.

They were hoping to avenge their 37-16 league defeat at the end of September.

However, despite a much-improved performance, they eventually lost 5-3.

The slippery conditions were not very inviting but, with the welcome return of Matt Aspinall at scrum-half, Mistley started well.

However, Hadleigh were awarded a penalty as Mistley were holding on.

Despite missing the posts, the Hadleigh fly-half, who was a dominant player for them, successfully scored to make it 5-0.

Aspinall then responded with a high ball and Mistley were awarded a penalty scrum after a high tackle.

Despite being on the Hadleigh try-line, Mistley were unable to score and this set the tone for the rest of the match, with a series of missed opportunities.

With the backs of Connor Williams, Rob Bloom, Reece Kirkham and Matt Course probing the Hadleigh defence throughout, the slippery ball caused havoc as Kirkham dropped it on a certain try-scoring opportunity.

Hadleigh also recovered their composure and nearly scored as half-time approached.

In the second half, with the Mistley scrum powering ahead and Tom Rowe and Ed Barrie forcing the pace, they were back on the Hadleigh try-line but, again, the killer blow was missed.

Kyle Fox came back on and, alongside captain Nick Graves, fought hard to gain control.

A penalty awarded to Mistley was successfully converted by Course to reduce Hadleigh's lead to 5-3.

A further penalty awarded to Mistley was taken very quickly by Rob Bloom, who sprinted over the Hadleigh line to score.

However, the referee claimed he did not see it and the try was disallowed.

Mistley carried on the fight to the end and, despite spending most of the time in Hadleigh's half, they were unable to score again.

Despite this loss, Mistley played considerably better than their last outing and hope to finally avenge these defeats when Hadleigh play at Mistley at the beginning of next January.

In the other Suffolk Plate semi-final, Mersea Island, who are top of Eastern Counties League division two south, comprehensibly beat Halstead Templars 86-0.

They now face Hadleigh in the final on November 26.

This weekend both Mistley squads return to league action, with the first team away to Colchester's fourth team and the Marauders at home to Colchester's fifth XV.

Both games kick-off at 2pm and are being sponsored by Entire Computers of Station Road, Manningtree.