Ipswich Rhinos Rugby League Club

Hemel vs Ipswich 17th June 2000

Hemel Hempstead 58 - 6 Ipswich

Taking on the Eastern Conference’s only unbeaten club with no replacements is not advisable at the best of times; but the Ipswich thirteen stuck to their tasks manfully and came out of this encounter bloodied but unbowed. Injuries and unavailability stripped the Ipswich squad down to the bare minimum and despite mid-eighties temperatures all players got through the eighty minutes. Despite the uneven scoreline, the Suffolk side showed sufficient character to suggest they can (with a full squad of seventeen players) win all five of their remaining matches.

Ipswich actually crossed the whitewash first when Richard Pollard won the race to a sublime kick through into the in goal area from hooker Dave Signor. But Irish Referee John Holt made the first of a number of bizarre decisions when he ruled the Ipswich chasers offside from the kick close to the line. Hemel took immediate action scoring on their first attack.

Hemel quickly established control showing why they are top of the Conference with three more tries before Ipswich mustered with strong forward running from Welch and back row Bradshaw. Pollard had his second uneven break when he was brought down by an offside player when clean through. The deliberate foul did not bring the expected penalty try or sin binning and from the Ipswich tap penalty Hemel centre Phil Aitken made an interception to dash 80 yards for the try of the game to give the home side a 26-0 interval lead.

It seemed inevitable that with the temperature still rising and without subs that Ipswich would buckle in the second half. With the home spectators settling back in anticipation of a cricket score, the Rhinos shocked and impressed many by taking the game to their opponents. Hemel as expected of Champions elect continued to probe and added two tries in the opening ten minutes. But Ipswich enjoyed their own purple patch and their tenacity was rewarded when Pete Le Marquand broke the Hemel defence to send James Goodall over for a deserved try. Le Marquand added the conversion.

Olly Barclay toiled away all afternoon topping the Ipswich tackle count and earning the Hemel vote of Ipswich`s best player just ahead of the returning Martin Mullett and the busy Aussie Signor . Full back Tony Skurr also made a big impact on his club debut and the teenager looks to be a find for the future. Hemel rounded off the match with four tries in the closing stages but Ipswich had displayed an excellent spirit throughout emerging with credit at the end of a testing 80 minutes.

Ipswich now have two home matches on the trot against Cambridge on Saturday and Bedford on the 1st July before the away leg of the East Anglian Derby with South Norfolk on Saturday 8th July. Kingston are the visitors on Saturday 15th July, followed by the final match of the season at home to St Albans on Saturday 22nd July at Rushmere.

Ipswich Team Vs Hemel: Skurr, Charnley, Pete Le Marquand, Thomas, Windridge, Pollard, Goodall, Welch, Signor, Wilson, Bradshaw, Mullett, Barclay.


	Hemel vs Ipswich 17th June 2000 Hemel Hempstead 58 - 6 Ipswich Taking on the Eastern Conference’s only unbeaten club with no replacements is not advisable at the best of times; but the Ipswich thirteen stuck to their tasks manfully and came out of this encounter bloodied but unbowed. Injuries and unavailability stripped the Ipswich squad down to the bare minimum and despite mid-eighties temperatures all players got through the eighty minutes. Despite the uneven scoreline, the Suffolk side showed sufficient character to suggest they can (with a full squad of seventeen players) win all five of their remaining matches. Ipswich actually crossed the whitewash first when Richard Pollard won the race to a sublime kick through into the in goal area from hooker Dave Signor. But Irish Referee John Holt made the first of a number of bizarre decisions when he ruled the Ipswich chasers offside from the kick close to the line. Hemel took immediate action scoring on their first attack. Hemel quickly established control showing why they are top of the Conference with three more tries before Ipswich mustered with strong forward running from Welch and back row Bradshaw. Pollard had his second uneven break when he was brought down by an offside player when clean through. The deliberate foul did not bring the expected penalty try or sin binning and from the Ipswich tap penalty Hemel centre Phil Aitken made an interception to dash 80 yards for the try of the game to give the home side a 26-0 interval lead. It seemed inevitable that with the temperature still rising and without subs that Ipswich would buckle in the second half. With the home spectators settling back in anticipation of a cricket score, the Rhinos shocked and impressed many by taking the game to their opponents. Hemel as expected of Champions elect continued to probe and added two tries in the opening ten minutes. But Ipswich enjoyed their own purple patch and their tenacity was rewarded when Pete Le Marquand broke the Hemel defence to send James Goodall over for a deserved try. Le Marquand added the conversion. Olly Barclay toiled away all afternoon topping the Ipswich tackle count and earning the Hemel vote of Ipswich`s best player just ahead of the returning Martin Mullett and the busy Aussie Signor . Full back Tony Skurr also made a big impact on his club debut and the teenager looks to be a find for the future. Hemel rounded off the match with four tries in the closing stages but Ipswich had displayed an excellent spirit throughout emerging with credit at the end of a testing 80 minutes. Ipswich now have two home matches on the trot against Cambridge on Saturday and Bedford on the 1st July before the away leg of the East Anglian Derby with South Norfolk on Saturday 8th July. Kingston are the visitors on Saturday 15th July, followed by the final match of the season at home to St Albans on Saturday 22nd July at Rushmere. Ipswich Team Vs Hemel: Skurr, Charnley, Pete Le Marquand, Thomas, Windridge, Pollard, Goodall, Welch, Signor, Wilson, Bradshaw, Mullett, Barclay.