...MATCH REPORT...
ST ALBANS CENTURIONS v
IPSWICH RHINOS 12 MAY 2001
ST ALBANS 22- 30 IPSWICH

A blistering hot May afternoon in Hertfordshire was witness to the first signs of what The Ipswich Rhinos are capable of this season. Two debutant Rhinos made big impacts on a game that was always going to be won by the team who braved the conditions best. In Army hooker Paul Roberts and Second rower Richard James - who coming off the bench into the hard working Rhinos pack - may just have plugged a few gaps that Rhinos outfit really needed. This new blood added to fine half back performances by Tosh Thurston who topped the tackle count at 34 and Skipper Richard Pollard's Hat trick sealed a hard earned second away win of the season.

St Albans opened the scoring after eight minutes with a try from scrum half Mark Winch, the Rhinos struggling to get in the pace of the game and find the defensive prowess of just seven days ago. Tosh Thurston returned the favour for the Rhinos from short range not long after. The Rhinos coach Dave Mortimer may have some work to do on Wednesday in the kicking coach department after a less than brilliant display by the would be goal kickers, only one conversion out of seven. With the Rhinos defence still not up to match speed the Centurions crossed the line again following slack defence - John Longford the scorer. After this slow start the Ipswich outfit began to show some of the class that undoubtedly runs through the squad. Two quick Rhino tries close to the half time break seemed to break the St Albans spirit a little. The first came from Pete Le Marquand who powered through a hard pressed line to touch down. The second came from good lead up play from the forwards. Mick Reeves showed the way to drive the ball at the defence, James Goodall provided the link to the backs with a clever grubber along the ground, the resulting chase to the line was won by a sharp Richard Pollard getting the first of his three tries.

The 12 points all half time score line seemed fair but the Rhinos failed conversions might have sealed the game even at that early stage. After lots of liquid and a cool changing room the Rhinos seemed a different team second half. Had someone lit the blue touch paper? The crowd were left in no doubt which team wanted the two points most. Matt Ryan at full back was the first to punish the Centurions defence with a good try. This quiet Kiwi, a result of the Ipswich Union merger looks as if he can make the number one shirt his own this season with his solid performance. Next up in the procession to the try line was Hooker Paul Roberts - a close range effort that even a few beers after the match couldn't extend the range beyond 1 metre. Paul's obvious strength could be vital for the Rhinos forthcoming matches against stronger opposition. With the score at 12-20 the scales were tipping the way of the Suffolk outfit and credit must go to St Albans who found a battling spirit from somewhere and posted two tries that looked like being the start of a miraculous Houdini trick.

Ken Edward in the Centurions centre and Steve Gallaghan on the wing set Rhinos hearts racing and perhaps knocked the complacency out of Ipswich. Two points now separated the two dehydrated teams when Rhinos skipper Pollard stood up to be counted by crossing the line twice in six minutes, managing to convert one of the tries accompanied by ironic cheers from the Ipswich faithful. Pollard had broken his duck. Both teams dug deep finding reserves of energy forcing brutal defence and understandably some dropped ball. As time ebbed toward the final whistle St Albans knew the game was out of their reach but still managed a consolation touch down from busy winger Steve Gallaghan to bring the final tally to 22-30. Ipswich can now look forward to a home fixture against an in form Oxford Cavaliers outfit. This game could be the benchmark by which The Rhinos can measure themselves. Added into the ingredients is the clash of a few Royal Air Force mates playing on opposite sides. Injuries may also play their part, hard working prop Vaughan Evans and speedy stepper Chick Knox-Macaulay both have injuries that could potentially leave them out for next week. Coach Mortimer has his work cut out not least making himself understood to some Antipodeans who fancy themselves as goal Kickers.

IPSWICH RHINOS TEAM: Matt Ryan, James Goodall, Chik Knox-Macaulay, Pete Le Marquand, Paul Le Marquand, Richard Pollard, Paul Thurston, Vaughan Evans, Paul Roberts,Mick Reeves, Steve Gleeson, Andrew Windridge, Evan Player, Andy Wilson, Richard James, Brendan Tansley, Adam Butterworth.