Ipswich Rhinos Rugby League Club

...MATCH REPORT...

RUGBY LEAGUE CONFERENCE

JUNE 22nd 2002
IPSWICH RHINOS 52 - 10 BEDFORD SWIFTS

Ipswich continued their revival with a comfortable win over a full-strength Bedford side. With the away fixture back in may ending in a narrow 20-19 defeat to a hotly disputed final score, Ipswich were keen to ensure there was more daylight between the teams on this occasion. The win was Ipswich's third on the trot and puts them in the top half of the national table for the first time this season. Ipswich have shown improved form on the run in to the play off stage of the season which is crucial with some tough fixture to come.

Last season's young player of the year Brendan Cook outlined his potential with another eye-catching display scoring a hat trick. The home side took an early 6th minute lead when Cook ran away from his markers from 20 metres out for the first of his three tries. Bedford replied when Will Richardson pushed over from 1 metre after a series of tackles. For 20 minutes the game was an evenly balanced tense affair but Ipswich gradually gained the upper hand with excellent tries from Andy Windridge and player coach Paul Roberts, to give Ipswich a 12-6 lead at half-time.

Ipswich took control immediately after the break, with Cook scoring his second try when he took an awkward bounce to run in from 15 metres. This was followed by the first of Pete LeMarquand's 6 conversions. Two quick tries from Mike Reeves saw Ipswich pull right away with some excellent passages of play. Ipswich's solid attack was founded on good defence and full back Paul Le Marquand fielded any number of high balls to launch attacking moves.

Harry Ackerman and Pete Le Marquand were involved in most of Ipswich's moves and they added further tries before man of the match Cook completed his hat-trick with a 15 meter run-in after good cross-field play.

Bedford's consolation try came in the 76th minute from the elusive Tom McCollin, but there was still time for Ipswich to entertain the spectators with a stunning final running and passing move which started from a kick on their own 20 metre line and ended with Pete Le Marquand scoring his second try of the match. This confident display should help the Rhinos in the build up to tomorrows away trip to tough newcomers Luton Vipers. Ipswich's next home game is on Saturday 6th July when unbeaten Eastern and joint National Division leaders St Albans are the visitors.

Ipswich Team - Paul LeMarquand, Tavela Kwilimbe, Chik Knox-Macauley, Peter LeMarquand, Ryan Wood, Mike Reeves, Paul Thurston, Adrian Evans, Paul Roberts, Vaughan Evans, Brendan Cook, Harry Ackerman, Andrew Windridge, Evan Player, Steven Gleeson, Lee Haylock, Joel Barrett.

Photographer requested for St Albans game (team photograph) at Humber Doucy Lane on Saturday 6th July.

Match report by Kevin Cook and Barbara Peachey


	...MATCH REPORT... RUGBY LEAGUE CONFERENCE JUNE 22nd 2002 IPSWICH RHINOS 52 - 10 BEDFORD SWIFTS Ipswich continued their revival with a comfortable win over a full-strength Bedford side. With the away fixture back in may ending in a narrow 20-19 defeat to a hotly disputed final score, Ipswich were keen to ensure there was more daylight between the teams on this occasion. The win was Ipswich's third on the trot and puts them in the top half of the national table for the first time this season. Ipswich have shown improved form on the run in to the play off stage of the season which is crucial with some tough fixture to come. Last season's young player of the year Brendan Cook outlined his potential with another eye-catching display scoring a hat trick. The home side took an early 6th minute lead when Cook ran away from his markers from 20 metres out for the first of his three tries. Bedford replied when Will Richardson pushed over from 1 metre after a series of tackles. For 20 minutes the game was an evenly balanced tense affair but Ipswich gradually gained the upper hand with excellent tries from Andy Windridge and player coach Paul Roberts, to give Ipswich a 12-6 lead at half-time. Ipswich took control immediately after the break, with Cook scoring his second try when he took an awkward bounce to run in from 15 metres. This was followed by the first of Pete LeMarquand's 6 conversions. Two quick tries from Mike Reeves saw Ipswich pull right away with some excellent passages of play. Ipswich's solid attack was founded on good defence and full back Paul Le Marquand fielded any number of high balls to launch attacking moves. Harry Ackerman and Pete Le Marquand were involved in most of Ipswich's moves and they added further tries before man of the match Cook completed his hat-trick with a 15 meter run-in after good cross-field play. Bedford's consolation try came in the 76th minute from the elusive Tom McCollin, but there was still time for Ipswich to entertain the spectators with a stunning final running and passing move which started from a kick on their own 20 metre line and ended with Pete Le Marquand scoring his second try of the match. This confident display should help the Rhinos in the build up to tomorrows away trip to tough newcomers Luton Vipers. Ipswich's next home game is on Saturday 6th July when unbeaten Eastern and joint National Division leaders St Albans are the visitors. Ipswich Team - Paul LeMarquand, Tavela Kwilimbe, Chik Knox-Macauley, Peter LeMarquand, Ryan Wood, Mike Reeves, Paul Thurston, Adrian Evans, Paul Roberts, Vaughan Evans, Brendan Cook, Harry Ackerman, Andrew Windridge, Evan Player, Steven Gleeson, Lee Haylock, Joel Barrett. Photographer requested for St Albans game (team photograph) at Humber Doucy Lane on Saturday 6th July. Match report by Kevin Cook and Barbara Peachey