Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Three games played, nineteen to go. In league terms, that’s barely the foothills. But for now, the Men’s 1st XI sit atop the East England Premier League, and they do so on merit—following a composed, clinical 3–1 away win over Cambridge City. It was, by some distance, the standout performance of the weekend. A match that had a bit of everything: a field goal from Big Mitts, a smile from Southy (yes, really), and a team performance that hinted at something quietly building.

Elsewhere, the Men’s 2s remain unbeaten and within striking distance—solid, dependable, and quietly going about their business. Both 6th XIs continue their pleasing progress, a reflection of the club’s growing depth and structure. It’s early days, but the signs are encouraging.

That said, not all leagues are created equal. The Men’s 3s, and Women’s 2s, 3s, and 4s find themselves in the thick of it—tough divisions, tight margins, and no room for error. Scrapping for every point isn’t just a mindset; it’s a necessity. These are the weeks where character is forged.

A word, too, on the match reports—or lack thereof. It seems we’re a few Bics, Parkers, or Mont Blancs short at the moment. One suspects that will change as the season unfolds and the stories begin to write themselves.

Looking ahead, if you find yourself at Tuddenham this weekend, there’s plenty to enjoy. The Men’s 1s, league leaders for now, play at 2pm. The Women’s 1s follow at 4:30pm against BSE. Both would welcome your support.

Two final points:
1. A gentle reminder: the Women’s 4s are down to assist with junior coaching this Saturday from 10:00 to 12:30 at TR. If you can lend a hand, please do. The future of the club, after all, starts there.

2. Social this week, Minute to Win It at TR from 730, see you there!

W1 D2-2
W2 L1-4
W3 L2-7
W4 L2-4
W5 L0-3
W6 L0-1
M1 W3-1
M2 W3-2
M3 L0-8
M4 L1-2
M5 PP
M6 W3-1

Women’s 6th XI 0 - Felixstowe 3rd XI 1
Ipswich took the pitch in the first half with the wind behind them looking for a good start.
In the first half Ipswich had 4 short corners with Issy having a shot saved. Ipswich also had a great chance when Alex dribbled the ball into the D and Zoe put the resulting cross over the bar.

Felixstowe scored the only goal of the game in the 34th minute from open play.
In the second half, Ipswich had a couple of chances. Chloe shot wide of the goal, and later a Felixstowe defender cleared the ball off the goal line.

This was yet another great team performance and work rate from the team was awesome on and off the ball

Women’s 1s vs Chelmsford
When 3 points became 1…

After three years since their last encounter, Ipswich and Chelmsford renewed their rivalry in incredibly windy conditions thanks for to Storm Amy. No debuts this week but the girls welcomed back Emma Rix into the squad following injury.

Ipswich endured another slow start, struggling to find rhythm in the opening stages. Chelmsford took advantage towards the end of the second quarter, capitalising on a poor recovery from an Ipswich short corner to take a 1–0 lead.

The second half saw a transformed Ipswich side. A incredible tight-angled finish from, POTM, Chloe Williams brought them level, before she struck again from a second-phase play to put Ipswich ahead 2–1. Great transfers from Maisie Debanham dominating as the centre back, persistent pressure from midfielder Charlie Phillips and great leads from forward, Mariette Rix allowing the team to stay on the front foot. The momentum on their side, Ipswich looked set for all three points.

However, with just two minutes remaining, Chelmsford were awarded a penalty corner and managed to bundle home a scrappy equaliser. Ipswich pushed hard for a winner in the final moments but were unable to find the decisive touch.

From what looked like three points in the bag, Ipswich were forced to settle for one — a frustrating result but a performance full of determination and fight. Back home next weekend and ready to face the first team of three from Cambridge, see you at TR.

Men’s 1s vs Cambridge City
Did they believe they could do it? A third consecutive win, this time over a spirited Cambridge City side, to go top of the table? The answer, if you listened closely to Captain Fry’s pre-match address, was unequivocal. The opposition, he said, were “irrelevant.” Focus on our game. And so they did.

There was a clarity of purpose about IHC from the outset. The wing press, orchestrated with precision and described with beautiful economy by Cutts, allowed the forwards to apply relentless pressure. The midfield, alert and aggressive, capitalised—stealing possession with a frequency that would have pleased even the most fastidious of statisticians.

The forwards, often caricatured as simple creatures requiring simple instructions, embraced their pressing roles with gusto. In the warm-up, they were likened to animals—Taylor-Grout a rhino, Ward a goldfish (perhaps a touch unkind, but effective nonetheless). The metaphorical menagerie delivered. Dykesy' animal, was, well, just Dykesy.

The opening quarter was cagey. IHC took time to settle, but when they did, they struck. A well-worked move saw debutant Myles open his account. Moments later, Big Mitts—rampaging from halfway—unleashed a thunderous reverse stick finish to double the lead. It was a goal of power and conviction.

Cambridge pulled one back, aided by Dykesy’s unfortunate decision to play to a whistle from the adjacent pitch. At half-time, the contest was finely poised—tense, competitive, and thoroughly enjoyable.

What stood out was IHC’s intensity. Tenacity, aggression, and a collective will to win. The defence—Colo, Fry, Southgate, Dykes, and Austin—were composed and unyielding. In midfield, the returning Seth combined well with Wright and Wells, while Wiid was a constant menace on the counter.

The third quarter brought the goal of the game. Dykes found Myles down the flank, who squared to Taylor-Grout. A feint, a shift, and a nutmeg past the keeper. 3–1. Clinical.
The final quarter was all IHC. They controlled possession, dictated tempo, and saw out the match with a maturity that belied the early-season context. Cherry, once again, was superb in goal—his consistency a quiet cornerstone of this team’s success.

Coach Thom and Manager Edwards were understandably pleased, though Southgate’s green card—earned for what might be the cleanest tackle since Daz did whites—prompted a quiet word. Southy, it must be said, was immense. Tackles, laser passes, a reverse stick shot, even 3D skills. Man of the match, and deservedly so.

So, is this the start of something? Perhaps. Competition for places is fierce, and the squad must remain united as both 1s and 2s chase promotion. Tougher tests await, but for now,

IHC sit top. And deservedly so.

Next up: Bishop’s Stortford at home. Saturday, 2pm. The