Ipswich Rhinos Rugby League Club

...MATCH REPORT...

TOTALRL.COM RUGBY LEAGUE CONFERENCE

HARRY JEPSON TROPHY
PLAY-OFF ROUND 2 REPORT

9 AUGUST 2003

SOUTH NORFOLK SAINTS 20 - 44 IPSWICH RHINOS

This hard-fought match for a place in the last eight of the National Rugby League Conference provided great entertainment for the crowd on one of the hottest afternoons of the year. Nine players crossed the line to score for Ipswich, and Dave West produced another stunning hat-trick, but it was a solid team performance which gave Ipswich the edge, and revenge for their defeat at Humber Doucy Lane earlier in the season.

The first half started disastrously for Ipswich when a simple error from the kick-off allowed Steve Simms to go over under the posts, Aaron Kwong's conversion making it 6-0 to South Norfolk within the first minute. However Ipswich soon regained their composure when a penalty gave them the ball for a safe set of six, culminating in the first of Dave West's tries. Peter Le Marquand chipped the ball over the South Norfolk defenders and Dave West made a dash to catch the ball one handed and score in the corner. A penalty kick, following a series of nervous errors from Ipswich, gave Norfolk 2 more points, before 15 minutes of evenly matched play ended with another Ipswich try. Dave Signor made a darting run from the play the ball, and passed to Tane Trafford to score under the posts. Peter Le Marquand's conversion made the score 8-10.

The rest of the first half saw Ipswich defending fiercely, with huge pressure from both attacks taking the play from end to end. Ipswich, however, took the half time advantage with two further tries. Matt Harwood went over in the corner followed by Andy Wilson's powerful drive which set up a phase of free-flowing passing and running by Ipswich, culminating in Dave West's second try of the day. Peter Le Marquand converted, giving Ipswich a 20-8 lead at half time.

Dave West's hat trick came shortly after the interval, following Brendan Cook's penetrating drive and some fine passing moves. The advantage was further pressed home when Peter Le Marquand kicked a 40 - 20, giving Ipswich the ball close to the Saints' line. Ipswich's passing and speed were simply too much for the Saints, and full back Paul Le Marquand linked up to make the score 8-28. Adam Cook followed after three minutes, burrowing through to cross the line from 2 metres out, Peter Le Marquand converting. South Norfolk never gave up with Chris Kent and Martin Sands each scoring tries and Aaron Kwong's 100% accuracy with the boot making their final tally 20 points. Ipswich's supremacy was confirmed in the final quarter, however, when Alex Stratton Thomsett made a spectacular 70 metre run following a half break by Tane Trafford, the Ipswich winger outpacing Norfolk's Paul Scott, to score in the corner. Finally Mike Fields dodged several Saints' players to go over, Peter Le Marquand's conversions making the final score 20-44, giving Ipswich a place in the quarter-finals.

Ipswich now travel to Surrey next Saturday to face the formidable Crawley Jets, London Division Champions, for a place in the last four of the National Conference.

Ipswich: Paul Le Marquand, Alex Stratton-Thomsett, Peter Smith, Mike Fields, Dave West, Peter LeMarquand, Tane Trafford, Andy Wilson, Dave Signor, Dan Garbutt, Andy Windridge, Richard Burton, Brendan Cook, Adam Cook, Matt Harwood, Daryl Walters, Chris Coates.

Tries: West (3) Trafford, Harwood, Paul LeMarquand, Adam Cook, Stratton-Thomsett, Field Goals: Peter LeMarquand (4)

Reporter: Kevin Cook


	...MATCH REPORT... TOTALRL.COM RUGBY LEAGUE CONFERENCE HARRY JEPSON TROPHY PLAY-OFF ROUND 2 REPORT 9 AUGUST 2003 SOUTH NORFOLK SAINTS 20 - 44 IPSWICH RHINOS This hard-fought match for a place in the last eight of the National Rugby League Conference provided great entertainment for the crowd on one of the hottest afternoons of the year. Nine players crossed the line to score for Ipswich, and Dave West produced another stunning hat-trick, but it was a solid team performance which gave Ipswich the edge, and revenge for their defeat at Humber Doucy Lane earlier in the season. The first half started disastrously for Ipswich when a simple error from the kick-off allowed Steve Simms to go over under the posts, Aaron Kwong's conversion making it 6-0 to South Norfolk within the first minute. However Ipswich soon regained their composure when a penalty gave them the ball for a safe set of six, culminating in the first of Dave West's tries. Peter Le Marquand chipped the ball over the South Norfolk defenders and Dave West made a dash to catch the ball one handed and score in the corner. A penalty kick, following a series of nervous errors from Ipswich, gave Norfolk 2 more points, before 15 minutes of evenly matched play ended with another Ipswich try. Dave Signor made a darting run from the play the ball, and passed to Tane Trafford to score under the posts. Peter Le Marquand's conversion made the score 8-10. The rest of the first half saw Ipswich defending fiercely, with huge pressure from both attacks taking the play from end to end. Ipswich, however, took the half time advantage with two further tries. Matt Harwood went over in the corner followed by Andy Wilson's powerful drive which set up a phase of free-flowing passing and running by Ipswich, culminating in Dave West's second try of the day. Peter Le Marquand converted, giving Ipswich a 20-8 lead at half time. Dave West's hat trick came shortly after the interval, following Brendan Cook's penetrating drive and some fine passing moves. The advantage was further pressed home when Peter Le Marquand kicked a 40 - 20, giving Ipswich the ball close to the Saints' line. Ipswich's passing and speed were simply too much for the Saints, and full back Paul Le Marquand linked up to make the score 8-28. Adam Cook followed after three minutes, burrowing through to cross the line from 2 metres out, Peter Le Marquand converting. South Norfolk never gave up with Chris Kent and Martin Sands each scoring tries and Aaron Kwong's 100% accuracy with the boot making their final tally 20 points. Ipswich's supremacy was confirmed in the final quarter, however, when Alex Stratton Thomsett made a spectacular 70 metre run following a half break by Tane Trafford, the Ipswich winger outpacing Norfolk's Paul Scott, to score in the corner. Finally Mike Fields dodged several Saints' players to go over, Peter Le Marquand's conversions making the final score 20-44, giving Ipswich a place in the quarter-finals. Ipswich now travel to Surrey next Saturday to face the formidable Crawley Jets, London Division Champions, for a place in the last four of the National Conference. Ipswich: Paul Le Marquand, Alex Stratton-Thomsett, Peter Smith, Mike Fields, Dave West, Peter LeMarquand, Tane Trafford, Andy Wilson, Dave Signor, Dan Garbutt, Andy Windridge, Richard Burton, Brendan Cook, Adam Cook, Matt Harwood, Daryl Walters, Chris Coates. Tries: West (3) Trafford, Harwood, Paul LeMarquand, Adam Cook, Stratton-Thomsett, Field Goals: Peter LeMarquand (4) Reporter: Kevin Cook