Ipswich Rhinos Rugby League Club

Ipswich vs Hemel Hempstead 6th May 2000

Defending Champions Ipswich got off to a losing start against old rivals Hemel at Rushmere on Saturday. Coach Steve Sudlow and Manager Dave Flaherty were all smiles however after the successful introduction of nine new players to Rugby.

The new look Rhinos team proved too inexperienced for a visiting side used to playing National Alliance and Academy League all year round. The opening exchanges saw both sides penalised for offside. An overconfident Hemel pack assisted Ipswich early on with several forward passes. Ipswich kicked a "touchfinder" penalty straight back to Hemel and within a minute found themselves 6-0 down on 14 minutes.

Hemel were resrticted to three more first half tries and while Ipswich were unable to get over the tryline in the opening half they enjoyed a good share of the possession. Steve Barrett went close when his penalty kick was just wide and the teams turned round with Hemel 20-0 to the good. Ipswich were geed by Steve Sudlow's upbeat team talk stating that they were holding their own against high quality opponents.

It took Hemel 15 minutes to score again - man of the match Jack Howison bursting over for his hatrick. Scrum half Richard Smith scored soon after before Ipswich enjoyed their best spell of the match involving several good moves through the tackle count. Ipswich rounded off their purple patch with a well worked try from Steve Gleeson on his Club debut.

The consolation try, set up by hooker Tom Evans Jones, was no more than the team deserved - Steve Barrett converted. Hemel finished on top running in two late tries from Chris Tolar and Matt Cannon. Ipswich are on the road for the next two weeks with Saturday's match at Cambridge followed by the trip to Bedford before returning to Rushmere for the East Anglian derby with South Norfolk Saints on May 27th.

Ipswich: Lee Birch, Paul Le Marquand, Barney Harper, Matt Parker, Stu Bradshaw, Steve Barrett, Sean Griffin, Andy Wilson, Tom Evans Jones, Adam Welch, Steve Gleeson, Glyn Thomas, David Muff, Andy Barnes, Steve Sudlow, Richard Pollard.

Tries: Steve Gleeson (1) Conversions: Steve Barrett (1)

Hemel: Matt Cannon, Mark Pynaert, Phil Aitken, Chris Tolar, Tristan Bond, Chris Caws, Richard Smith, Jack Howieson, Damon Marri-Metoarri, David Smith, Adrian McKenna, Nathan Lakeman, Simon Tillyer, Ryan Long, Sela Aglamaz, Jon Morgan.

Tries: Howieson (3), Marri-Metoarri (1), R.Smith (1), Tillyer (1), Tolar (1), Cannon (1) Conversions: Caws (5)


	Ipswich vs Hemel Hempstead 6th May 2000 Defending Champions Ipswich got off to a losing start against old rivals Hemel at Rushmere on Saturday. Coach Steve Sudlow and Manager Dave Flaherty were all smiles however after the successful introduction of nine new players to Rugby. The new look Rhinos team proved too inexperienced for a visiting side used to playing National Alliance and Academy League all year round. The opening exchanges saw both sides penalised for offside. An overconfident Hemel pack assisted Ipswich early on with several forward passes. Ipswich kicked a "touchfinder" penalty straight back to Hemel and within a minute found themselves 6-0 down on 14 minutes. Hemel were resrticted to three more first half tries and while Ipswich were unable to get over the tryline in the opening half they enjoyed a good share of the possession. Steve Barrett went close when his penalty kick was just wide and the teams turned round with Hemel 20-0 to the good. Ipswich were geed by Steve Sudlow's upbeat team talk stating that they were holding their own against high quality opponents. It took Hemel 15 minutes to score again - man of the match Jack Howison bursting over for his hatrick. Scrum half Richard Smith scored soon after before Ipswich enjoyed their best spell of the match involving several good moves through the tackle count. Ipswich rounded off their purple patch with a well worked try from Steve Gleeson on his Club debut. The consolation try, set up by hooker Tom Evans Jones, was no more than the team deserved - Steve Barrett converted. Hemel finished on top running in two late tries from Chris Tolar and Matt Cannon. Ipswich are on the road for the next two weeks with Saturday's match at Cambridge followed by the trip to Bedford before returning to Rushmere for the East Anglian derby with South Norfolk Saints on May 27th. Ipswich: Lee Birch, Paul Le Marquand, Barney Harper, Matt Parker, Stu Bradshaw, Steve Barrett, Sean Griffin, Andy Wilson, Tom Evans Jones, Adam Welch, Steve Gleeson, Glyn Thomas, David Muff, Andy Barnes, Steve Sudlow, Richard Pollard. Tries: Steve Gleeson (1) Conversions: Steve Barrett (1) Hemel: Matt Cannon, Mark Pynaert, Phil Aitken, Chris Tolar, Tristan Bond, Chris Caws, Richard Smith, Jack Howieson, Damon Marri-Metoarri, David Smith, Adrian McKenna, Nathan Lakeman, Simon Tillyer, Ryan Long, Sela Aglamaz, Jon Morgan. Tries: Howieson (3), Marri-Metoarri (1), R.Smith (1), Tillyer (1), Tolar (1), Cannon (1) Conversions: Caws (5)