...MATCH REPORT...
SOUTH NORFOLK SAINTS v IPSWICH RHINOS
21 JULY 2001
SOUTH NORFOLK SAINTS 20 - 32 IPSWICH RHINOS

Rhinos Score Decisive Derby Victory

Ipswich need to beat Bedford at Humber Doucy Lane on Saturday 4th August to clinch the Eastern Division title after a sizzling display at North Walsham on Saturday. An inspired team performance led by Mike Reeves at fly half saw off a typically competitive Norfolk side. This win means Ipswich have beaten all the Eastern Division sides this summer. Ipswich also have the chance to win a prestigious play off place and if they qualify, are likely to face North London. Two hard away matches at Oxford and West London immediately before the East Anglian Derby proved ideal preparation. In contrast the Saints had not played on the previous two Saturdays and apart from the opening twelve minutes when sustained pressure failed to break Ipswich`s defence, Norfolk looked a pale shadow of their normal selves.

In that opening period Ipswich were forced into taking four line dropouts under the posts carrying out 30 consecutive tackles. Jules Gray a key member of the pack was injured in the opening minutes testing the Rhinos resolve at an early stage. Reeves carried the ball out of defence on Ipswich`s first foray into Norfolks half and his pinpoint pass found second rower Harry Ackerman who crashed over outwide for the opening try. A pre match tactical switch saw youngster Brendan Cook moved out of the pack onto the wing while Tom Kelling went in at Hooker giving Vaughan Evans a free hand at second row. The move paid dividends with Evans picking up two first half tries, one from a dropped Norfolk ball and the other coming by virtue of an outrageous dummy by Evans after a break and pass from Reeves. Both sides were fired up for the occasion and this was no place for neutrals with heavy challenges throughout emphasing the desire of both sides to win this derby.Norfolk fought back with tries from Chris Greenhall and Tom Raines to keep Ipswich`s lead to 10-14 at the break.

Norfolk`s chances of containing Ipswich were dealt a blow soon after the restart when influential full back Tony Kingsmill was sinbinned for puching Pete Le Marquand. The full back was fortunate to avoid the red card as the offence was committed in front of the referee. Almost immediately Ipswich took advantage when both Pete Le Marquand and Joe Francis crossed the tryline in the ten minutes Kingsmill was off the field. Reeves` reliable boot converted both efforts to give Ipswich a 10- 26 lead. The combination of Reeves and Richard Pollard at half back was winning the battle for control in midfield while Ackerman, Andy Windridge and Evans were the dominant forwards. Adrian Evans in his first match of the year played confidently and the forward bias in the Rhinos side gave them an extra advantage. Greenhall pulled a try back. But a 65th minute try virtually settled the game. Francis Atkins went up for a high ball with an opponent and the ball was spilled and regathered by Pete Le Marquand for his second try. Reeves fourth conversion of the game gave Ipswich an 18 point lead and Richard Hornes 78th minute try under the post was simply a consolation effort as the off field celebrations had already begun among the travelling band of Ipswich supporters.

Another injury towards the end marred a winning day for the Rhinos when busy forward Lee Haylock sustained a badly broken index finger and will miss the final games and the start of the Union season. All seventeen of the Ipswich squad had played a key role in Ianding the spoils and the players had demonstrated the sort of team spirit built up over the summer, particularly in the opening period to keep Norfolk at bay and build a platform for this emphatic win.

Ipswich: Paul Le Marquand, Francis Atkins, Pete Le Marquand, Joe Francis, Brendan Cook, Mike Reeves, Richard Pollard, Andy Wilson, Tom Kelling, Jules Gray, Harry Ackerman,Vaughan Evans, Andy Windridge. Lee Haylock, Gareth Edwards, Danny Gallant and Adrian Evans.