Ipswich Rhinos Rugby League Club

...MATCH REPORT...

2004 PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY

24 April 2004

RHINOS TAKE CHARGE

Ipswich Rhinos 46 - 42 Birmingham Bulldogs

National division three Birmingham Bulldogs gave the Rhinos the stiff work out they needed ahead of their opening game of the league season at St. Ives this coming Saturday. In a high scoring and at time bruising encounter both sides showed great commitment, and with key plays missing on both sides, both promise to be a force to be reckoned with in their respective divisions. Despite Birmingham having the best of the early pressure it was Ipswich who opened the scoring on 4 minutes with an unconverted try from Joel Barrett. From then on the sides traded alternating tries through out the game, and with Rhinos Pete Le Marquand and the Bulldogs John Flatmans place kicking in top form, all were converted leaving only the unconverted try between the two sides at the final whistle.

Rhino new faces Paul Finon, Matthew Godfrey and David Gawne all had impressive debuts, as did Paul Edmondson who showed great promise in the early exchanges but unfortunately dislocated his shoulder in the first ten minutes. Pete Smith and Mike Fields both bagged a brace of tries, but the Ipswich star turn was Joe Francis on the wing, who rounded the Birmingham defence three times for his hat trick. Man of the match however was the Bulldogs number 4, Adam Cawley who repeatedly broke through the centre of the Ipswich defence to score 5 out of 7 of the Bulldogs trys.

Reporter: Kevin Cook


	...MATCH REPORT... 2004 PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY 24 April 2004 RHINOS TAKE CHARGE Ipswich Rhinos 46 - 42 Birmingham Bulldogs National division three Birmingham Bulldogs gave the Rhinos the stiff work out they needed ahead of their opening game of the league season at St. Ives this coming Saturday. In a high scoring and at time bruising encounter both sides showed great commitment, and with key plays missing on both sides, both promise to be a force to be reckoned with in their respective divisions. Despite Birmingham having the best of the early pressure it was Ipswich who opened the scoring on 4 minutes with an unconverted try from Joel Barrett. From then on the sides traded alternating tries through out the game, and with Rhinos Pete Le Marquand and the Bulldogs John Flatmans place kicking in top form, all were converted leaving only the unconverted try between the two sides at the final whistle. Rhino new faces Paul Finon, Matthew Godfrey and David Gawne all had impressive debuts, as did Paul Edmondson who showed great promise in the early exchanges but unfortunately dislocated his shoulder in the first ten minutes. Pete Smith and Mike Fields both bagged a brace of tries, but the Ipswich star turn was Joe Francis on the wing, who rounded the Birmingham defence three times for his hat trick. Man of the match however was the Bulldogs number 4, Adam Cawley who repeatedly broke through the centre of the Ipswich defence to score 5 out of 7 of the Bulldogs trys. Reporter: Kevin Cook