RUGBY LEAGUE: St Albans 26 Ipswich 41. Ipswich Rhinos began their campaign for the Harry Jepson Trophy with a fine win at close rivals St Albans.This was a hard-fought free-flowing game, played on one of the hottest days of the year, with some fine attacking play from both sides.

RUGBY LEAGUE

St Albans 26 Ipswich 41

Ipswich Rhinos began their campaign for the Harry Jepson Trophy with a fine win at close rivals St Albans.

This was a hard-fought free-flowing game, played on one of the hottest days of the year, with some fine attacking play from both sides.

The outcome was in doubt until the 77th minute when Rhinos star Mike Reeves scored his fourth try of the match.

His individual effort was matched by a great team performance, the Rhinos surviving a strong challenge from St Albans despite Brendan Cook and Chik Knox-Macauley both sustaining injuries in the first half which saw them take no further part in the game.

Kiwi star Evan Player opened the scoring for Ipswich when he charged through on the sixth tackle, beating three defenders. Pete LeMarquand took the score to 6-0 with the first of his six conversions.

St Albans replied five minutes later, followed by a spectacular 70 metre run by Knox-Macauley making it 12–6. Rhino Mike Reeves and Dean Miller for St Albans took two apiece to leave the game at 16-24 at half-time.

Reeves continued to pile on the pressure after the interval with a drop goal followed by another try under the posts after a strong run. St Albans drew close at 26-31 but Reeves powered over for his fourth try after a spell of strong defence by the Rhinos.

Evan Player sealed the win in injury time with a great run from the halfway line. Ipswich play Coventry at home on Saturday, 2.30pm kick-off at Humber Doucy Lane.

Ipswich squad: Craig Aven, Thomas Aylott, Lee Clasby, Adam Cook, Brendan Cook, Adrian Evans, Vaughan Evans, Chik Knox-Macauley, Paul LeMarquand, Peter LeMarquand, Christopher Morley, Evan Player, Michael Reeves, Paul Roberts, Andrew Windridge, Andrew Wilson, Ryan Wood.