MISTLEY Rugby Club made it three wins in a row by defeating Felixstowe 32-5.

The sides met in an Eastern Counties League division two south contest at Furze Hill, on Saturday.

In the sides’ last meeting, Mistley led by 20 points – only to crumble in the second half and eventually lose 28-22.

Tobias Phillips made a welcome return from injury and there were also two new faces in the line-up – Charlie Barrett and Sam Ackerman.

Due to injuries, Adam Ward played at scrum-half and Edward Barrie at full-back.

Mistley were without some of their regular players, including the injured Steve Betts.

Within the first few minutes, Adam Ward drew first blood with an excellent try, aided by veteran Mark Dove.

However, Felixstowe quickly responded following some poor defending to level the score.

Matt Course then missed a long but difficult penalty, due to the windy conditions.

Mistley began to show strength in the forwards, with probing runs from Phillips, helped by Nick Moses, Bertie Baxter and Isaac Tamani.

Two successful penalties from Course pushed the score to 11-5, quickly followed by a running pass from Dicky Johnson to Moby Turner.

He crashed through the Felixstowe defence to score a try that was duly converted by Course.

As half-time approached, Reece Elliot, with help from Tamani, ran to the posts and, together with another Course conversion, it meant Mistley led 25-5.

In the half-time team talk, Mistley captain Nick Graves gave the team a stern warning that they must not falter.

As before, Felixstowe were not going to hand the game away and they began to fight hard.

They spent time in the Mistley 22, but, thanks to some excellent defensive work from Terry Regan, Anthony Ward, Phillips, Ryan Knapton and superb kicking from Course, they kept Felixstowe at bay.

Kyle Fox and Barrett went on as substitutes but Felixstowe continued to apply pressure.

Excellent tackling from Graves and Mistley allowed the side to power forward again and Kirkham scored his second try, duly converted, to make the final score 32-5.

Mistley coach Dai Kenyon was delighted with the result and all credit was given to Felixstowe for not letting their heads drop.

Phillips was man-of-the-match.

Next weekend there is no first-team game and the Marauders are away to Colchester Roundheads.