Ipswich Rhinos Rugby League Club

...MATCH REPORT...

2004 MIDDLESEX 9's TOURNAMENT

18 July 2004

RHINOS SHOW HIGH STANDARD TO REACH SEMI-FINALS

On Sunday Ipswich Rhinos competed against a number of Exile and National division 2 and 3 sides in the Middlesex 9's competition at London Skolars New River Stadium. The Rhinos first game was against the much fancied South Asian Bulls. The Bulls took the lead late in the first half but Dave Signor pulled one back early in the second period and Dave West scored the wining try when he ran through and collected his own kick to touch down with a minute left on the clock.

The second game was against a Cambridge University side who scored within seconds of the kick off. However Ipswich stuck to their own game and two break away trys by Joel Barrett made the score 10 - 6 to the Rhinos at half time. Cambridge had no answer for the Rhinos fast wingers and Dave West and Jonan Boto scored further break away tries in the second half which with Mike Reeves converting made the score 22-6.

The last pool game was against a specialist 7's side from Chingford. Brendan Cook powered over for an early try and Peter Smith punished a dropped pass to run in Ipswich's second. Then just before the break Dave West finished an excellent passing move to add a third with a break from half way. Just after half time Brendan Cook split the defence with an angled run to make the score 24-0 , Mike Reeves converting all four trys.

Three excellent wins meant that the Rhinos not only finished top of their pool, but were seeded top overall in the draw for the Main trophy The Federation Middlesex Sports Cup.

The quarter final was against the New Zealand Sharks, and once again the Rhinos conceded an early try, however Pete Smith made a fine run from a scrum to level the scores. Dave Signor added a second which with Reeves conversions made the score 12-6 at the break. From the restart Dave West ran the ball back at the Sharks and in a clever switch with Adam Cook set Cook on his way for Ipswich's third try. Dave West then completed the scoring when he finished a cross field move with a dash to the posts, the final score 24-6 to the Rhinos.

In the semi final Ipswich faced the Royal Engineers, the previous years competition winners. Ipswich again conceded an early try but then put up stubborn resistance to keep the score to 8-0 at half time. Early in the second half a neat switch between Mike Reeves and Adam Cook looked to have put Cook clean through for a try but the referee pulled play back for a forward pass. Had Ipswich scored then they could have made it very difficult for the Engineers but instead, after 5 games the difference in fitness started to show and the Army champions added two further tries to make the final score 18-0. However the Rhinos were not down hearted, they had a great fun day out, and as the only conference side in the competition suprised every one with the high standard of rugby league being played by the Suffolk / NE Essex team. ( are you listening Mr Inverdale ! )

Reporter: Kevin Cook


	...MATCH REPORT... 2004 MIDDLESEX 9's TOURNAMENT 18 July 2004 RHINOS SHOW HIGH STANDARD TO REACH SEMI-FINALS On Sunday Ipswich Rhinos competed against a number of Exile and National division 2 and 3 sides in the Middlesex 9's competition at London Skolars New River Stadium. The Rhinos first game was against the much fancied South Asian Bulls. The Bulls took the lead late in the first half but Dave Signor pulled one back early in the second period and Dave West scored the wining try when he ran through and collected his own kick to touch down with a minute left on the clock. The second game was against a Cambridge University side who scored within seconds of the kick off. However Ipswich stuck to their own game and two break away trys by Joel Barrett made the score 10 - 6 to the Rhinos at half time. Cambridge had no answer for the Rhinos fast wingers and Dave West and Jonan Boto scored further break away tries in the second half which with Mike Reeves converting made the score 22-6. The last pool game was against a specialist 7's side from Chingford. Brendan Cook powered over for an early try and Peter Smith punished a dropped pass to run in Ipswich's second. Then just before the break Dave West finished an excellent passing move to add a third with a break from half way. Just after half time Brendan Cook split the defence with an angled run to make the score 24-0 , Mike Reeves converting all four trys. Three excellent wins meant that the Rhinos not only finished top of their pool, but were seeded top overall in the draw for the Main trophy The Federation Middlesex Sports Cup. The quarter final was against the New Zealand Sharks, and once again the Rhinos conceded an early try, however Pete Smith made a fine run from a scrum to level the scores. Dave Signor added a second which with Reeves conversions made the score 12-6 at the break. From the restart Dave West ran the ball back at the Sharks and in a clever switch with Adam Cook set Cook on his way for Ipswich's third try. Dave West then completed the scoring when he finished a cross field move with a dash to the posts, the final score 24-6 to the Rhinos. In the semi final Ipswich faced the Royal Engineers, the previous years competition winners. Ipswich again conceded an early try but then put up stubborn resistance to keep the score to 8-0 at half time. Early in the second half a neat switch between Mike Reeves and Adam Cook looked to have put Cook clean through for a try but the referee pulled play back for a forward pass. Had Ipswich scored then they could have made it very difficult for the Engineers but instead, after 5 games the difference in fitness started to show and the Army champions added two further tries to make the final score 18-0. However the Rhinos were not down hearted, they had a great fun day out, and as the only conference side in the competition suprised every one with the high standard of rugby league being played by the Suffolk / NE Essex team. ( are you listening Mr Inverdale ! ) Reporter: Kevin Cook