Friday, 28 September 2007

Lexus Festival Winners 2007

4 comments:

Karen Wilde Team Manager ioniansU15 said...

On Sunday 16 September Hull Ionians Under 15s travelled to Manchester to take part in this years Lexus 12 a side Tournament . The occasion which was hosted by Sedgley Park was full day event and involved 10 of the top teams from Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cheshire.

The squad has this year been strengthened by the arrival of several new players and meant careful selection had to be made due to the competition rules restricting the travelling players to 20. Although some players had to be disappointed those selected formed teams of attacking flair combined with solid defence and power and strength in the forwards.

Ionians were placed in a group made up of Old Brodleins, Yarnbury, Bolton and old rivals Doncaster. I’s came out the group winners unbeaten and without having conceded a point. They played their trademark fast running rugby with tries being scored by the wingers and the outstanding centre Heylings. There were also noteable performances from Casson at 8 and newcomers Thundercliffe and Help.

Group Scores and try scorers.

The Semi final was against Waterloo, the close runners up of the other group. The match was played on a damp and windy pitch but didn’t disappoint Waterloo fought hard and defended well. Ionians scored early in the game with a try from Heylings They continued to put the pressure on and attack, and when the ball was turned over the solid Ionians defence never looked like being breached. The game finished at 5-0

The other semi final was a closely fought match between Doncaster and Chester, played in gale force winds and rain. The strength and power of Doncaster eventually overcame the well drilled and talented Chester team, winning with a drop goal in the last minute of normal time. The result was a replay of last years final.

The final was played in front of the main stand and a crowd made up of the finalists from the other age groups which had been dominated by clubs from the North West. The weather conditions had greatly improved by the kick off which was after 7 PM and a long day of hard Rugby.

Doncaster started well but their early pressure was repelled by solid tackling as they attempted to dominate and overpower Ionians with their strong running forwards. Ionians soon gained the upper hand and some clean ball combined with slick handling gave Heylings the space to carve through the centres and run in a try from the half way line. Hammersley’s usually reliable boot failed to convert and I’s went in 5 nil leaders at half time.

Within a minute of the restart, Hammersley made up for his miss with a try in the corner after a combination of forward and back handling. The remainder of the game as dominated by I’s and the Trophy and winners medals were theirs. 10-0

Tournament results

Ioinans v Old Brodleins 12-0
Ionians v Yarnbury 14-0
Ionians v Bolton 22-0
Ionians v Doncaster 0-0

S Final

Ionians v Waterloo 5-0

Final

Ionians v Doncaster 10-0

U8 Team said...
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Simon Heylings said...

Nice picture, you should sign this photographer up as a professional. He would earn a few bob!!

Anonymous said...

What a fantastic team effort. Well done and congratulations.

U16 team