RUGBY: Ipswich have lost an opportunity to quickly avenge last Saturday's home league defeat by Southend. The two sides were due to meet again tomorrow in the second round of the Intermediate Cup at Humber Doucy Lane.

RUGBY: Ipswich have lost an opportunity to quickly avenge last Saturday's home league defeat by Southend.

The two sides were due to meet again tomorrow in the second round of the Intermediate Cup at Humber Doucy Lane.

But Southend called off because they say they do not have sufficient players to field a front row.

"It is extremely disappointing, especially since this week we have had our best and most well attended training session of the season," said Mike Hancock, Ipswich's director of rugby.

"We are checking out the rules and it may be Southend will have to forfeit the tie. We have two league games, against Thurrock and Woodford in the next two weeks, then the week after that November 3 is scheduled for the third round ties in the Cup competition.

"So we cannot fit in an alternative date before then, although there is a possibility we could be asked to play our second round tie on the date for the third round games."

Ipswich first team will instead have a training session at Humber Doucy Lane tomorrow.

Last Saturday Southend beat Ipswich 13-8 in the London League Division Two North.

"We had 65 per cent of the play but again did not perform as well as Southend in the lineout and missed at least three good try scoring opportunities," added Hancock.

Ipswich's second and third teams both have

fixtures tomorrow and the Ladies play on Sunday.

Ipswich Magpies are away to Sudbury Seconds while Ipswich Barbarians play at Thurston.

Ipswich Ladies, beaten by Rosslyn Park in their last game are at home to Farnham on Sunday in the Ladies Cup competition.