Ipswich Rhinos Rugby League Club

...MATCH REPORT...

RUGBY LEAGUE CONFERENCE
PLAY-OFF

AUGUST 10th 2002
IPSWICH RHINOS 30 - 16 LUTON VIPERS

RHINOS BACK ON SONG - YOUNGSTERS SHINE IN COMEBACK WIN

Ipswich returned to winning ways against Eastern Division Champions Luton after a heavy defeat at the hands of Coventry last week. Pete Le Marquand was instrumental in setting up the victory, scoring and being involved in many of Ipswich`s best moves. The result means that Ipswich have lowered the colours of Luton,Coventry, Cambridge, Bedford and St Albans in a campaign of two halves,the Rhinos showing marked mid season improvement after a shaky start. Next week the curtain comes down on the summer season with another play off visit to Semi-final certainties Coventry. Last weeks defeat means Ipswich can only finish second in the play off tables and points difference would make qualification impossible with a better placed second side sure to come from another play off group to take the one available semi final spot.

These two sides have no interest in the conference semi finals and yet they served up a thrilling spectacle which should have been witnessed by more spectators. Luton had the better of the early exchanges but lack of discipline cost them dearly when influential loose forward Graeme Lumley was given ten minutes in the sin bin for dissent as early as the fourth minute. Luton`s over exhuberance led to several infrigements being penalised at the play the ball area. Ipswich stood up well to Luton`s tactics with a disciplined display and simply frustrated their opponents in the opening period. Match referee Mr Smith of Surrey stamped his authority on the game with the early dismissal and ensured both sides settled down to play Rugby.

Ipswich took full advantage of the extra man and Pete Le Marquand went over on the final tackle under the posts. Soon after Brendan Cook in the wars with head cuts in the last three games shrugged off would be tacklers to power home from 20 metres out. Pete Le Marquand converted both tries to give Ipswich a 12-0 cushion. Luton stormed back and showed why the Eastern division newboys had snatched the league title at the first attempt. well Marshalled by half back Matt Hyland Luton dominated the last ten minutes of the half and raced into the lead with three tries from Brian Masterton, Lumley and Ashley Stewart Huw Thomas kicked two conversions to give Luton a 12-16 half time lead. A calm half time talk from Chick Knox Macaulay galvanised the Rhinos players to produce some of their best rugby of the year in the second half when they might have been expected to fold in previous games.

Ipswich dominated the second half putting Luton under pressure for long periods. Luton held the lead until the 57th minute when second row James Gregory made a break from within the Ipswich half.His pass found Adam Cook who showed guile and power to outstrip the Luton defence and force his way over for the equalising try. Luton produced a strong fightback to regain the lead but Ipswich`s defence was too strong with back rowers Andy Windridge and Brendan Cook and full back Paul Le Marquand outstanding. This proved to be a good day to blood new players and Nottingham Trent University Hooker Richard Burton and Colchester youngster Peter Smith both made confident debuts. Knox Macaulay went on a trademark bustling run covering lots of ground sideways and beating off tackles before straightning up and sprint through for a try in the corner with Pete Le Marquands conversion attempt hitting the crossbar and falling back the wrong side. Evan Player has been in the tries since his return from New Zealand and he helped himself to a brace in the closing minutes to give Ipswich a second half defensive shut out and a fine last home match victory.

Ipswich Team: Paul Le Marquand, Barrett, Knox Macaulay,Gleeson, A.Cook,Paul Le Marquand,Clasby, Wilson,Burton, Player, Gregory, B.Cook,Windridge, Evans, Aylott, Haylock,Smith.


	...MATCH REPORT... RUGBY LEAGUE CONFERENCE PLAY-OFF AUGUST 10th 2002 IPSWICH RHINOS 30 - 16 LUTON VIPERS RHINOS BACK ON SONG - YOUNGSTERS SHINE IN COMEBACK WIN Ipswich returned to winning ways against Eastern Division Champions Luton after a heavy defeat at the hands of Coventry last week. Pete Le Marquand was instrumental in setting up the victory, scoring and being involved in many of Ipswich`s best moves. The result means that Ipswich have lowered the colours of Luton,Coventry, Cambridge, Bedford and St Albans in a campaign of two halves,the Rhinos showing marked mid season improvement after a shaky start. Next week the curtain comes down on the summer season with another play off visit to Semi-final certainties Coventry. Last weeks defeat means Ipswich can only finish second in the play off tables and points difference would make qualification impossible with a better placed second side sure to come from another play off group to take the one available semi final spot. These two sides have no interest in the conference semi finals and yet they served up a thrilling spectacle which should have been witnessed by more spectators. Luton had the better of the early exchanges but lack of discipline cost them dearly when influential loose forward Graeme Lumley was given ten minutes in the sin bin for dissent as early as the fourth minute. Luton`s over exhuberance led to several infrigements being penalised at the play the ball area. Ipswich stood up well to Luton`s tactics with a disciplined display and simply frustrated their opponents in the opening period. Match referee Mr Smith of Surrey stamped his authority on the game with the early dismissal and ensured both sides settled down to play Rugby. Ipswich took full advantage of the extra man and Pete Le Marquand went over on the final tackle under the posts. Soon after Brendan Cook in the wars with head cuts in the last three games shrugged off would be tacklers to power home from 20 metres out. Pete Le Marquand converted both tries to give Ipswich a 12-0 cushion. Luton stormed back and showed why the Eastern division newboys had snatched the league title at the first attempt. well Marshalled by half back Matt Hyland Luton dominated the last ten minutes of the half and raced into the lead with three tries from Brian Masterton, Lumley and Ashley Stewart Huw Thomas kicked two conversions to give Luton a 12-16 half time lead. A calm half time talk from Chick Knox Macaulay galvanised the Rhinos players to produce some of their best rugby of the year in the second half when they might have been expected to fold in previous games. Ipswich dominated the second half putting Luton under pressure for long periods. Luton held the lead until the 57th minute when second row James Gregory made a break from within the Ipswich half.His pass found Adam Cook who showed guile and power to outstrip the Luton defence and force his way over for the equalising try. Luton produced a strong fightback to regain the lead but Ipswich`s defence was too strong with back rowers Andy Windridge and Brendan Cook and full back Paul Le Marquand outstanding. This proved to be a good day to blood new players and Nottingham Trent University Hooker Richard Burton and Colchester youngster Peter Smith both made confident debuts. Knox Macaulay went on a trademark bustling run covering lots of ground sideways and beating off tackles before straightning up and sprint through for a try in the corner with Pete Le Marquands conversion attempt hitting the crossbar and falling back the wrong side. Evan Player has been in the tries since his return from New Zealand and he helped himself to a brace in the closing minutes to give Ipswich a second half defensive shut out and a fine last home match victory. Ipswich Team: Paul Le Marquand, Barrett, Knox Macaulay,Gleeson, A.Cook,Paul Le Marquand,Clasby, Wilson,Burton, Player, Gregory, B.Cook,Windridge, Evans, Aylott, Haylock,Smith.