Ipswich Rhinos Rugby League Club

Bedford vs Ipswich 20th May 2000

Bedford Swifts 40 Ipswich Rhinos 36

"End to end stuff", "More like a cup tie than a league match" Those were some of the comments uttered at the Bedford Athletic stadium on Saturday as the larger than usual home crowd drifted back to the bar having witnessed Bedfords first ever win over the Rhinos.Overgenerous defence by both sides added to the spectacle and a devastating spell which yielded four tries in the opening nineteen minutes of the second half won the match for Bedford. Ipswich fought back from 40-18 down, a Glyndwr Thomas hat trick helped Ipswich to within four points of Bedford in the dying minutes but it was not enough to deny the swifts their historic first win.

Ipswich gave debuts to wingers Lee Haylock and Danny Page and Adam Butterworth all from Essex. Bedford had set their stall right from the beginning surging into a two try lead through Pilkington and Tweede before winger Darren Page scored on his Ipswich debut. The elusive Swifts half back Darren Stapleton was involved in most of Bedfords moves and he added a third try on 27 minutes. Bedford were well on top and looking to extend their lead. Adam Welch again brought Ipswich back into the game with his first club try only for Pilkington to push Bedford further ahead. Lee Birch completed a frentic first half, scoring on the stroke of the break to make the score 18-12.

Just two minutes into the second half Bedford began a period of domination which was to secure the match forward Adam Schindler bundled his way over. Stapleton converted before adding another try on 48 minutes.

Stand off Richard Pollard gave a greatline pass to releaseThomas to score for Ipswich with a well taken try.

Bedford`s attack proved too hot for Ipswich and from a scrum in front of his own posts,centre Paul Streeder weaved his way out wide and set off on a touchline hugging sprint leaving several wouldbe tacklers in his wake touching down under the posts for a spectacular score. Yet again Stapleton added the extras with the conversion. Fittingly it was Stapleton who completed his sides 20 minute blitz when he went over for his third try converted by Pilkington. Ten minutes of Ipswich stability followed with no further score before Thomas sparked Rhinos revival with his second and third tries on 30 and 37 minutes.

Straight from the restart Ipswich were back on the attack in a desparate bid to save the match, Stapleton was penalised for ball stealing and from the tap Adam Welch forced his way over. With time almost up Pete Le Marquand kicked his fourth conversion of the half to put Ipswich just four points behind. The ref blew up soon after the restart and Bedford celebrations began in earnest.

When the dust had settled on this highly entertaining affair the 40-36 scoreline had given the spectators nearly a point a minute leaving Ipswich still seeking a first win of the season.

With the quality of the opposition set to increase dramatically over the next few weeks starting with Saturday`s East Anglian Derby against South Norfolk Saints at Rushmere Road, the Ipswich squad is set to be strengthed by the return of Hooker Tom Evans Jones and the return to fitness of James Goodall. In June Ipswich embark on a three week away stint with consecutive games at West London, St Albans and Hemel Hemstead.

IPSWICH TEAM vs Bedford: Lee Birch,Darren Page, Adam Butterworth,Paul Le Marquand, Lee Haylock, Richard Pollard, Pete Le Marquand, Adrian Evans, Steve Barrett, Adam Welch, Steve Gleeson,Glyn Thomas, David Muff, David Flaherty.


	Bedford vs Ipswich 20th May 2000 Bedford Swifts 40 Ipswich Rhinos 36 "End to end stuff", "More like a cup tie than a league match" Those were some of the comments uttered at the Bedford Athletic stadium on Saturday as the larger than usual home crowd drifted back to the bar having witnessed Bedfords first ever win over the Rhinos.Overgenerous defence by both sides added to the spectacle and a devastating spell which yielded four tries in the opening nineteen minutes of the second half won the match for Bedford. Ipswich fought back from 40-18 down, a Glyndwr Thomas hat trick helped Ipswich to within four points of Bedford in the dying minutes but it was not enough to deny the swifts their historic first win. Ipswich gave debuts to wingers Lee Haylock and Danny Page and Adam Butterworth all from Essex. Bedford had set their stall right from the beginning surging into a two try lead through Pilkington and Tweede before winger Darren Page scored on his Ipswich debut. The elusive Swifts half back Darren Stapleton was involved in most of Bedfords moves and he added a third try on 27 minutes. Bedford were well on top and looking to extend their lead. Adam Welch again brought Ipswich back into the game with his first club try only for Pilkington to push Bedford further ahead. Lee Birch completed a frentic first half, scoring on the stroke of the break to make the score 18-12. Just two minutes into the second half Bedford began a period of domination which was to secure the match forward Adam Schindler bundled his way over. Stapleton converted before adding another try on 48 minutes. Stand off Richard Pollard gave a greatline pass to releaseThomas to score for Ipswich with a well taken try. Bedford`s attack proved too hot for Ipswich and from a scrum in front of his own posts,centre Paul Streeder weaved his way out wide and set off on a touchline hugging sprint leaving several wouldbe tacklers in his wake touching down under the posts for a spectacular score. Yet again Stapleton added the extras with the conversion. Fittingly it was Stapleton who completed his sides 20 minute blitz when he went over for his third try converted by Pilkington. Ten minutes of Ipswich stability followed with no further score before Thomas sparked Rhinos revival with his second and third tries on 30 and 37 minutes. Straight from the restart Ipswich were back on the attack in a desparate bid to save the match, Stapleton was penalised for ball stealing and from the tap Adam Welch forced his way over. With time almost up Pete Le Marquand kicked his fourth conversion of the half to put Ipswich just four points behind. The ref blew up soon after the restart and Bedford celebrations began in earnest. When the dust had settled on this highly entertaining affair the 40-36 scoreline had given the spectators nearly a point a minute leaving Ipswich still seeking a first win of the season. With the quality of the opposition set to increase dramatically over the next few weeks starting with Saturday`s East Anglian Derby against South Norfolk Saints at Rushmere Road, the Ipswich squad is set to be strengthed by the return of Hooker Tom Evans Jones and the return to fitness of James Goodall. In June Ipswich embark on a three week away stint with consecutive games at West London, St Albans and Hemel Hemstead. IPSWICH TEAM vs Bedford: Lee Birch,Darren Page, Adam Butterworth,Paul Le Marquand, Lee Haylock, Richard Pollard, Pete Le Marquand, Adrian Evans, Steve Barrett, Adam Welch, Steve Gleeson,Glyn Thomas, David Muff, David Flaherty.