Ipswich Rhinos Rugby League Club

St Albans vs Ipswich 10th June 2000

Just as Ipswich seem to be finding their feet in this years competition, another area of play lets them down.Some very impressive approach play and hard tackling saw Ipswich dominate much of the first half. Defensive errors cost the Rhinos dearly, after clawing back from the earliest of home tries to lead midway through the first half Ipswich allowed St Albans to dominate and secure a decisive lead at half time. With the pattern of conceeding an early score repeated in the second half, Ipswich despite a late rally let this winable contest slip away from their grasp.

The welcome larger than usual crowd were lively and took their lead from several ill judged antics and remarks from one or two home club officials who might have been able to set a better example to them. Still, they were more than welcome by the Ipswich players. There were plenty of encouraging signs, the best of them James Goodall`s first competitive game of Rugby League in over a year. He slotted in well at half back with Paul Thurston and both players made good ground in this Jeckyll and Hyde of an Ipswich performance. After falling behind to a first minute Craig Bailey try which owed as much to the late arrival of three players at the ground as to Ipswich`s defensive frailties, pack leader Adam Welch and second rower Lee Haylock both went over from short range to put Ipswich in front. With Pete Le Marquand converting both scores the Rhinos led 6-12.

St Albans made their intentions clear from the offset with a string of high tackles with tall back rower Simons singling out Adam Welch for special attention. With the likes of Bradshaw, Haycock, Evans Jones, Barclay and Birch unavailable for this clash the Ipswich pack had a light look about it. Ipswich kept on top without increasing the lead until ten minutes before half time when Chris Strong used his power to force his way over the tryline. Soon after St Albans Hooker Dave Ashton dummied through at the play the ball, before Ben Moralee got on the end of a good handling move to give St Albans a six point half time lead. Aside from defence Ipswich had lost possession on several occasions through poor decision making on the last tackle, giving St Albans numerous chances to make ground. Within two minutes of the kick off St Albans Rick Jensen had touched down behind Ipswich`s tryline, the referee Mr Asquith from York disallowing the score for boucing the ball.

After the let off Ipswich gifted two points when Dave Flaherty reacted to a late tackle and was penalised for stepping away from the play the ball. Tobin gleefully kicked the penalty to increase the home sides lead to 20-12. Goodall capitalised on confusion from both sides calmly steping in and retrieving a loose ball to score unopposed. Ipswich had shown throughout the match that despite their lowly league position they still possess strong tackling and spirit and Welch, Flaherty, Goodall and South African Harry Ackermann were putting in big tackles on their opponents. However two players in particular were leading St Albans to overpower Ipswich. Craig Bailey and Chris Strong were having storming matches and building a platform which was to enable the home side to power clear of Ipswich. Powerful front rower Simons floored Pete Le Marquand with a high tackle which other than a tap penalty being awarded went unpunished. Soon after Simons latched on to a well time pass thirty metres out for a decisive score the conversion establishing a 26-16 lead. Simons repeated the dose with his second try ten minutes from time Tobin again converting to give St Albans a 32-16 lead.

Ipswich responded with a typical club try after fast hands across the pitch allowed Steve Barrett to scoot in at the corner. Fittingly Bailey who had score the first try burrowed his way over in the last minute to complete the scoring to secure a 36-20 win for St Albans. Ipswich unused to not competing for a play off place at this stage of the season had again given only a glimpse of their potential. This was however, Ipswich`s best away display of the summer and with a visit to unbeaten league leaders Hemel Hempstead the Rhinos have perhaps, realistically set a target of winning five out of the six remaining fixtures,which includes the derby visit to South Norfolk Saints on July 8th.

Ipswich Team vs St Albans: Pollard, Pete Le Marquand, Barrett, Paul Le Marquand, Flaherty, Thurston, Goodall,Welch, Signor, Evans, Haylock, Gleeson and Muff.
Subs: Ackermann, Wilson, Charnley, Windridge.
Tries: Welch, Haylock,Goodall, Barrett
Goals: Pete Le Marquand (2)


	St Albans vs Ipswich 10th June 2000 Just as Ipswich seem to be finding their feet in this years competition, another area of play lets them down.Some very impressive approach play and hard tackling saw Ipswich dominate much of the first half. Defensive errors cost the Rhinos dearly, after clawing back from the earliest of home tries to lead midway through the first half Ipswich allowed St Albans to dominate and secure a decisive lead at half time. With the pattern of conceeding an early score repeated in the second half, Ipswich despite a late rally let this winable contest slip away from their grasp. The welcome larger than usual crowd were lively and took their lead from several ill judged antics and remarks from one or two home club officials who might have been able to set a better example to them. Still, they were more than welcome by the Ipswich players. There were plenty of encouraging signs, the best of them James Goodall`s first competitive game of Rugby League in over a year. He slotted in well at half back with Paul Thurston and both players made good ground in this Jeckyll and Hyde of an Ipswich performance. After falling behind to a first minute Craig Bailey try which owed as much to the late arrival of three players at the ground as to Ipswich`s defensive frailties, pack leader Adam Welch and second rower Lee Haylock both went over from short range to put Ipswich in front. With Pete Le Marquand converting both scores the Rhinos led 6-12. St Albans made their intentions clear from the offset with a string of high tackles with tall back rower Simons singling out Adam Welch for special attention. With the likes of Bradshaw, Haycock, Evans Jones, Barclay and Birch unavailable for this clash the Ipswich pack had a light look about it. Ipswich kept on top without increasing the lead until ten minutes before half time when Chris Strong used his power to force his way over the tryline. Soon after St Albans Hooker Dave Ashton dummied through at the play the ball, before Ben Moralee got on the end of a good handling move to give St Albans a six point half time lead. Aside from defence Ipswich had lost possession on several occasions through poor decision making on the last tackle, giving St Albans numerous chances to make ground. Within two minutes of the kick off St Albans Rick Jensen had touched down behind Ipswich`s tryline, the referee Mr Asquith from York disallowing the score for boucing the ball. After the let off Ipswich gifted two points when Dave Flaherty reacted to a late tackle and was penalised for stepping away from the play the ball. Tobin gleefully kicked the penalty to increase the home sides lead to 20-12. Goodall capitalised on confusion from both sides calmly steping in and retrieving a loose ball to score unopposed. Ipswich had shown throughout the match that despite their lowly league position they still possess strong tackling and spirit and Welch, Flaherty, Goodall and South African Harry Ackermann were putting in big tackles on their opponents. However two players in particular were leading St Albans to overpower Ipswich. Craig Bailey and Chris Strong were having storming matches and building a platform which was to enable the home side to power clear of Ipswich. Powerful front rower Simons floored Pete Le Marquand with a high tackle which other than a tap penalty being awarded went unpunished. Soon after Simons latched on to a well time pass thirty metres out for a decisive score the conversion establishing a 26-16 lead. Simons repeated the dose with his second try ten minutes from time Tobin again converting to give St Albans a 32-16 lead. Ipswich responded with a typical club try after fast hands across the pitch allowed Steve Barrett to scoot in at the corner. Fittingly Bailey who had score the first try burrowed his way over in the last minute to complete the scoring to secure a 36-20 win for St Albans. Ipswich unused to not competing for a play off place at this stage of the season had again given only a glimpse of their potential. This was however, Ipswich`s best away display of the summer and with a visit to unbeaten league leaders Hemel Hempstead the Rhinos have perhaps, realistically set a target of winning five out of the six remaining fixtures,which includes the derby visit to South Norfolk Saints on July 8th. Ipswich Team vs St Albans: Pollard, Pete Le Marquand, Barrett, Paul Le Marquand, Flaherty, Thurston, Goodall,Welch, Signor, Evans, Haylock, Gleeson and Muff. Subs: Ackermann, Wilson, Charnley, Windridge. Tries: Welch, Haylock,Goodall, Barrett Goals: Pete Le Marquand (2)