RUGBY UNION: Ipswich Rugby Club first team has been left idle this weekend because their scheduled opponents are involved in the Powergen Cup.Direct Motor Line sponsored Ipswich had been due to travel to Thurrock in the London League Division Two North.

RUGBY UNION

IPSWICH Rugby Club first team has been left idle this weekend because their scheduled opponents are involved in the Powergen Cup.

Direct Motor Line sponsored Ipswich had been due to travel to Thurrock in the London League Division Two North.

But the Essex side have reached the fourth round of the Powergen Intermediate Cup – and have been drawn at home to Tottonians – and cup ties take preference over league fixtures.

Thurrock reached the fourth round as a result of a narrow two point victory, 18-16, over Bishop's Stortford from the same league.

Coincidentally Ipswich beat Bishop's Stortford 19-8 last Saturday at Humber Doucy Lane but despite producing their most impressive performance of the season, Ipswich will not now have a chance to build on that success tomorrow.

"It is a shame that we have to accept the situation," said Ipswich's director of rugby, Mike Hancock.

"The good thing is everyone now knows they are capable of beating the best in this league.

"We now have to start planning for everyone to hopefully reproduce the same kind of show in our next game, at home to Shelford in a week's time."

Meanwhile several players, keen to force their way back into first team contention, will be having a runout tomorrow for the Ipswich Mapgies.

The Ipswich second team have an Eastern Counties Conference fixture at Shelford.

The squad includes former club captain Jeff Searle, playing his first game of the season. He has been out of action for several months because of a groin injury.

Also playing his first full match in six weeks is prop forward Rob Thomas.

He suffered concussion and appeared for 20 minutes as replacement against Bishop's Stortford but is now looking forward to completing a full 80 minutes.