Saturday 5th May 2001
....MATCH REPORT....
Cambridge Eagles 10 - 16 Ipswich Rhinos

"Rhinos rock solid defence earns points"

Ipswich Rhinos kicked off the 2001 summer season with a fine win over old rivals Cambridge Eagles at Granchester Road on Saturday. New Head Coach Dave Mortimer had drilled the old adage good defence wins matches into his players beforehand, and the Rhinos responded with a defensive shutout of Cambridge lasting 56 minutes before the home side posted a score.

Ipswich ran in three unanswered tries to lead 12-0 by the break. Fittingly, new recruit Evan Player opened the scoring on his debut when he supported Steve Gleeson's superb line break to touchdown. Player, 25, had traveled from New Zealand to play Rugby in Suffolk after viewing the club`s Website (www.rhinos.co.uk)

Vaghan Evans at Hooker and Julian Gray in the second row became the first two Ipswich Rugby Union club players to turn out since the cross code link up with the Ipswich Rhinos. Cambridge enjoyed a good share of possession during the match with Ipswich happy to show their new found defensive prowess with Loose forward Sean Griffin showing the way, putting in some heavy challenges. The forwards and backs linked well and tackled hard throughout. In attack Ipswich were comfortable with the ball. The power of Rhinos tackling forced Cambridge to drop the ball under pressure in their own half, Paul Le Marquand was first to react and scooped up the ball to run in unchallenged. Older brother Pete fresh from a stint with in the London Broncos Academy Squad displayed much improved awareness and technique in his play.

Another of the new faces in the side was 18 year old Ed Jones and he was soon in thick of the action achieving one of the games top tackles with a ball'n'all effort which stopped play for three minutes while his opponent received treatment. Chikezie Knox Macaulay making his third comeback for the club roared in on the stroke of half time with a trademark try. Taking a pass just inside the Cambridge half Macaulay did not look a threat but a change of pace and three sidesteps left a trail of defenders behind him and a clear run in for a try.

Player came close to adding to the first half tally when he broke clear from the scrum the blindside. With one man to beat, he opted to kick and both players were beaten by the ball in the race to the line. Cambridge varied their play in an attempt to breach Ipswich's line and were rewarded in the 56th minute when a tap penalty released the loose forward, Blair Robertson, to score a well worked try. Ipswich hit back when Paul Thurston finished off a patient build up showing poise to dummy, then bundle his way over on the last tackle. Ipswich were able to dictate play but were denied two good looking tries when first assistant Coach Richard Pollard was called back on his way to the tryline for a forward pass following another swift Steve Gleeson break and pass. Then Player burrowed his way over the line under the posts but he was called short by the official.

The outcome of a match totally dominated by the Rhinos was put in doubt by the decisions when Cambridge's lively loose forward pulled back another try with ten minutes remaining to bring the home side to within a converted score of saving the match. But Ipswich played out the time easily and confidently to secure an away win at the first time of asking. Undoubtedly there are much harder fixtures to come in the next few weeks but the Ipswich side stuck to their task well to earn the points. With last season top scorer Glyn Thomas set to return against St Albans next week competition for places are hotting up, setting the selection committee a happy task at training on Wednesday night.

Ipswich Rhinos team: Evan Player, Paul Le Marquand, Pete Le Marquand, Chikezie Knox Macaulay, Benson Ho, Richard Pollard, Paul Thurston, Andy Wilson, Vaghan Evans, Andy Windridge, Julian Gray, Alex Mason, Sean Griffin. Subs: Ed Jones, Gareth Edwards, Steve Gleeson and Adam Butterworth