Newark 0 Hull Ionians 17
On the wettest Sunday of the season so far, Ionians ventured into Nottinghamshire to take on Newark for the first time. The subsidised Coffee, Bacon Sandwiches and large selection of other Sunday morning delicacies immediately added to the atmosphere of a thriving Club with a Mini Junior section apparently bigger than that of Ionians.
I's took to the field led by stand in skipper Elliot Hodges who took on the mantle after a series of injuries in the backs also resulted in back rows Casson and Doris filling in as centres.
The well cultivated pitch was only spoilt by a lack of width, but the cold, windy and wet conditions dictated the game would be won or lost by the forwards.
Hodges playing at 7 led from the front, perhaps inspired by his recent success in the Yorkshire trials and had his best game of the season along with several others including Matt Butler and Nathan Franklyn.
Ionians took the game to Newark, dominating possession and driving the home team backwards for 15 minutes before Prop Franklin forced his way over to score.
The Newark defence was outstanding throughout the game and despite a number of powerful bursts by Josh Thundercliffe and Jordan Help, the visitors only crossed the line on one more occasion that half to lead 10 - 0 at break.
The backs on the occasions the ball was made available to them, to their credit attempted to run the ball where others less confident may have been tempted to kick. Unfortunately freezing fingers spilled the wet ball at the decisive moments and a number of promising attacks were rebuffed.
The forwards continued to dominate and Newark managed only one attack when the full back found some space on the left wing but was unceremoniously dumped into touch by his opposite number Sam Wilson.
Another strong performance by Joe Rennard was rewarded with a try from a rolling maul and the kick was converted by Casson with a curling left footed chip that Ryan Giggs would have been proud of.
Newark's defence held strong for the remainder of the game and the final score failed to reflect their large amount of possession.
A solid performance by Ionians only marred by a large number of unforced errors and too many penalties given away.
Tuesday, 13 November 2007
Thursday, 8 November 2007
Sunday 4th November 2007 Hull Ionians 15's v Doncaster
Fireworks at Ionians
I's under 15's took to the field for their first afternoon kick off of the season, their game having been put back due to the large numbers of Mini Junior teams playing on what can only be described as a glorious Sunday in November. The whole facility echoed with the cheering of proud parents as teams from all over Yorkshire played throughout the day.
Ionians were without their outside centre and power runner Will Heylings, but replaced him with the dynamic open side Danny Casson.
Doncaster started the game with their usual force and commitment, taking most of the possession but the Ionians defence stayed strong and continually pushed them back and contained the might of their opposition. The first 10 minutes, despite the possession by Doncaster was played in their own half and when scrappy ball fell into the hands of centre Torkington. He broke through the line and as the defence closed in, he threw a long pass out to Casson who then put winger Henry Waine away to score in the corner.
The try went unconverted and an intense game of hard tackling and the occasional flare up remained 5 - 0 at half time.
The second half saw a few changes in the Ionians pack and newcomer Joe Raynard started to show his worth, adding height, weight and the occasional burst of aggression to the better Rugby side.
Ionians saw more of the ball in the 2nd half and came close to scoring on several occasions, much of the game however was spent driving back and disrupting the Doncaster attack.
With 5 minutes to go, having been awarded a penalty just outside the 22, Skipper Hammersley opted for the kick to ensure victory after which Doncaster knew they were beaten.
Ionians finished the victors 8 points to 0 and once again showed that although Doncaster are one of the top two or three teams in Yorkshire they can't overcome the strength in depth and variation of Rugby Ionians can play.
28th October 2007 - Ionians v Sandal
Ionians travelled to Sandal having had last weekend off after their emphatic cup victory against Malton.
The team was almost up to full strength but in the absence of Dom Carty, Alistair Wilde stepped in at Hooker. After only a few minutes Ionians took the lead when good ball was whipped down the line to give winger Ben Bainbridge space to ease into fourth gear as he left his opposite number standing and touched down in the corner. This superb example of attacking rugby was finished off by a long range conversion by Hammersley who kicked well until he handed the kicking duties over after a knock to his leg.
The Ionians forwards began and finished the game dominating the opposition pack and had an unusual amount of freedom to run with the ball often with good effect, Josh Thundercliffe making the most of the space . A number of forward tries were interspersed with some lightning running by winger Henry Waine who scored several of his four tries before the break.
At half time Ionians led 34 - 5 Sandal having taken advantage of momentary ball watching after a kick from defense was collected by the Sandal full back who ran around the outside of the static onlookers.
Ionians started the second half well with a number of tries from the forwards and some powerful running by Danny Casson and Ryan Rodgers. The novice Hooker Wilde won several scrums against the head and Ionians had nearly all of the possession.
The game finished 78 -5, Heylings and Wilson adding to the try count. Pack members, Joe Raynard, Elliot Hodges, Jordan Help, Danny Casson and Alistair Wilde all crossed the line during the game.
Although the victory looked easy, the backline who had started the game so well and could have done so much more damage, looked on for most of the match as the forwards picked up and ran making the most of their dominance. A demonstration though of what they can do.
The team was almost up to full strength but in the absence of Dom Carty, Alistair Wilde stepped in at Hooker. After only a few minutes Ionians took the lead when good ball was whipped down the line to give winger Ben Bainbridge space to ease into fourth gear as he left his opposite number standing and touched down in the corner. This superb example of attacking rugby was finished off by a long range conversion by Hammersley who kicked well until he handed the kicking duties over after a knock to his leg.
The Ionians forwards began and finished the game dominating the opposition pack and had an unusual amount of freedom to run with the ball often with good effect, Josh Thundercliffe making the most of the space . A number of forward tries were interspersed with some lightning running by winger Henry Waine who scored several of his four tries before the break.
At half time Ionians led 34 - 5 Sandal having taken advantage of momentary ball watching after a kick from defense was collected by the Sandal full back who ran around the outside of the static onlookers.
Ionians started the second half well with a number of tries from the forwards and some powerful running by Danny Casson and Ryan Rodgers. The novice Hooker Wilde won several scrums against the head and Ionians had nearly all of the possession.
The game finished 78 -5, Heylings and Wilson adding to the try count. Pack members, Joe Raynard, Elliot Hodges, Jordan Help, Danny Casson and Alistair Wilde all crossed the line during the game.
Although the victory looked easy, the backline who had started the game so well and could have done so much more damage, looked on for most of the match as the forwards picked up and ran making the most of their dominance. A demonstration though of what they can do.
14th October 2007 - Yorkshire Cup 1st Round Hull Ionians U15's V Malton
Hull Ionians under 15's travelled to Malton for the start of their Yorkshire Cup campaign.
Having been forced to hand over their title as Yorkshire Champions after being unable to play last years first round, Ionians were in no mood for to take it easy on their opponents.
Malton having already seen the might of I's in the first game of the season, faced a first half team which was almost at full strength and was determined to win.
Only a few minutes into the game, perhaps influenced by the success of the tactical kicking in the World Cup, Hammersley capitalised on a solid platform and clean ball from the forwards, to kick out of defence for the winger Henry Waine to collect and sprint down the line to score
The second try came soon after when a slick back move and a break from the centres left Will Heylings with only a few yards to travel to the line.
The Ioninans forwards continued to dominate and no 8 Casson took advantage of the solid scrummaging, to break from just outside the 22 to make the first of numerous penetrating runs and score under the post.
More tries were added by Bainbridge, Thundercliffe and Heylings and Ionians went into the break with a 32 - 0 lead.
The changes made at Half time enabled Ionians to show their strength in depth and after they achieved 40 - 0 when the game technically finished the try fest continued. This included tries from Ryan Rodgers, Sam Wilson, Simon Hammersley and for the first time in his long career, the feisty hooker Dom Carty.
Malton to their credit kept battling and eventually showed what they can do with a well worked try by the right wing.
The final score which technically reads 40 - 0 was in fact 80 - 7 and must be a warning to the current holders of the cup. Coach Sean Carty said,
" We have won the Lexus tournament this season already, but this is the start of a campaign where we will demonstrate expansive play combined with forward domination resulting from discipline and a well drilled defence.
Having been forced to hand over their title as Yorkshire Champions after being unable to play last years first round, Ionians were in no mood for to take it easy on their opponents.
Malton having already seen the might of I's in the first game of the season, faced a first half team which was almost at full strength and was determined to win.
Only a few minutes into the game, perhaps influenced by the success of the tactical kicking in the World Cup, Hammersley capitalised on a solid platform and clean ball from the forwards, to kick out of defence for the winger Henry Waine to collect and sprint down the line to score
The second try came soon after when a slick back move and a break from the centres left Will Heylings with only a few yards to travel to the line.
The Ioninans forwards continued to dominate and no 8 Casson took advantage of the solid scrummaging, to break from just outside the 22 to make the first of numerous penetrating runs and score under the post.
More tries were added by Bainbridge, Thundercliffe and Heylings and Ionians went into the break with a 32 - 0 lead.
The changes made at Half time enabled Ionians to show their strength in depth and after they achieved 40 - 0 when the game technically finished the try fest continued. This included tries from Ryan Rodgers, Sam Wilson, Simon Hammersley and for the first time in his long career, the feisty hooker Dom Carty.
Malton to their credit kept battling and eventually showed what they can do with a well worked try by the right wing.
The final score which technically reads 40 - 0 was in fact 80 - 7 and must be a warning to the current holders of the cup. Coach Sean Carty said,
" We have won the Lexus tournament this season already, but this is the start of a campaign where we will demonstrate expansive play combined with forward domination resulting from discipline and a well drilled defence.
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