...MATCH REPORT...
OXFORD CAVALIERS v IPSWICH RHINOS
7 JULY 2001
OXFORD 16 - 14 IPSWICH

"RHINOS NARROWLY BEATEN IN CROSS CONFERENCE FIXTURE"

The form coming into this important cross conference fixture could`nt have been more contrasting, with the Rhinos enjoying a record conference win over St Albans and the Cavaliers enduring four consecutive defeats including a recent mauling by Cardiff. Oxford taught Ipswich a lesson in ball retention and that you are only as good as the game you are playing in! An error strewn first 40 minutes saw the sides trade penalties and tries with Ipswich just leading 6-8 at the break before both sides markedly upped their game to produce a tense absorbing finale in which the Rhinos were forced to concede their first away league defeat of the season.

The title race looks like going to the last kick of the season when Ipswich are at home to Bedford Swifts on Saturday 4th August, with the East Anglian Derby at North Walsham becoming a "Four Pointer" on 21st July. A cagey opening period saw Oz Hicks miss a penalty before Pete Le Marquand opened the scoring with his penalty kick. Oxford were the most positive coming forward and continued probing of the flanks led to an opening for Jim Holborn to sprint in and narrow the angle for Hicks to convert as well. Ipswich were perhaps over confident and this was manifest by their willingness to give up possession time after time early in the tackle count through knocks and overrun passes.Ipswich are missing their inspirational Coach Dave Mortimer (away with the RAF) and he would have been pulling his hair out at their lack of respect for possession. Oxford had a hand in Ipswich`s disruption too, spirited tackling keeping the Rhinos on the back foot.

Clear chances were few and far between for both sides and a first half war of attrition was fought out mainly in the centre of the field. The game threatened to boil over when Brendan Cook was felled by a neck high tackle by Rob Lawson but the Oxford man was sin binned and the sides settled. Scrum Half Richard Pollard put Ipswich ahead just before half time when He cut his way through a tight Cavaliers defence. Ipswich were caught cold early in the second half with an early penalty converted by the reliable Hicks, before Holbourn made it a try in each half with an effort in the corner. Hick`s rader went awry when He missed both the conversion and a drop goal attempt soon after. But with Oxford on the rampage Ipswich were powerless to prevent centre Simon Yarrow from crashing over in the corner to give the Cavaliers an eight point lead. With the minutes ticking away Ipswich regained their composure to advance a move through the tackle count and Stand off Mike Reeves finished off a slick handling move with a try which was converted by Pete Le Marquand to bring Ipswich to within two points with injury time looming.

Ipswich mounted one last attempt to win the game, but with time running out a desperate kick forward was easily regathered by Oxford and they played out the tackles to earn a deserved victory and become the first home side to beat Ipswich Rhinos in 2001. Second Rowers Harry Ackermann and Andy Windridge along with Lee Birch to reshape the back line are set to boost the Rhinos squad as they prepare for the East Anglian Derby with Norfolk Saints at North Walsham on July 21st with a visit to high flying West London this Saturday 14th July in another demanding away cross conference fixture.

Ipswich team vs Oxford: Paul Le Marquand,Benson Ho, Pete Le Marquand, Glyn Thomas, Gareth Edwards, Mike Reeves, Richard Pollard, Andy Wilson, Vaughan Evans, Julian Gray,Daren Henry, Adam Butterworth, Lee Haylock, Joe Francis, Shaun Griffin Brendan Cook and Francis Atkins