Is that orange and coke on the waistcoat Dom?
Sunday, 27 January 2008
Yorkshire cup victory at Barnsley
Hull Ionians Under 15s victorious in their 3rd round Yorkshire Cup tie.
Sunday 27th January 2008
Barnsley 0, Hull Ionians 20
Having already triumphed over South Yorkshire giants Doncaster and Rotherham since Christmas in the normal fixture list, Ionians travelled to Barnsley for the 3rd round of the Yorkshire cup. I's were virtually up to strength which is a testament to the players whose commitment through a number of tough games has been unquestioned.
Ionians skipper Simon Hammersley, opted to play the first half facing into the blustery wind. A move which proved to be right as a tired Barnsley struggled against it in the second half.
The Kick off fell to Tom Doris whose safe hands then carried the ball back at the Barnsley pack and started a string of pick and drives by the I’s forwards who held onto possession for the majority of the game. Joe Rennard, Elliot Hodges and particularly Josh Thundercliffe made good yardage from recycled ball throughout the game, capitalising on the good work by the whole of the Ionians pack. Barnsley to their credit defended extremely well and their tackling, particularly in the forwards was outstanding.
10 Minutes into the game, pressure on Barnsley possession in their own 22, saw them spill the ball and Ionians no 6 Tom Doris picked up the ball and headed for the line. Good defence forced him to touch down just short giving Barnsley the put in at another scrum.
The Barnsley front row stepped up under pressure to face the Ionian’s props of Josh Thundercliffe and Jordan Help. They were however unable to deal with the strength and developing technique of the powerful duo who were supported by a strong second row pairing of Midgely and Rennard. I’s Hooker Dom Carty took advantage and struck against the head for the first of many during the game. Taking advantage of the steal, Scrum Half Brad Willingham grabbed the ball and raced blind. Having put in a clever inside dummy, he found enough space to cross the line for the first score. (Carty who’s work in the loose often goes un reported was later awarded Man of the Match and after the game proudly paraded in the gold sequined waistcoat which goes with the title).
10 Minutes later, after more concerted pressure, No 8 Elliot Hodges picked up from the base of a scrum in the Barnsley 22 after yet another steal by Carty. Hodges having looked outside, stepped back in an carried 2 defenders with him over the line to score. By this time Casson and Thundercliffe had both come close to scoring but had just been held back by the desperate Barnsley defence.
Hammersley’s conversion attempt was just blown wide and Ionians went into the break with a 10 – 0 lead. By this point the backs had not seen as much ball as they are used to but the Ionians forwards had dominated the game and could only be criticised for a few too many infringements in the loose.
With the wind behind them in the second half, Ionians started well with one attack after another. Barnsley however to their credit had far from given up and continued to battle and made several forays into the Ionians half. Their back line also defended well and as Ionians moved the ball out to their wings, they were continually stopped short. Some superb covering by the Barnsley open side is also worthy of comment.
Ionians managed to score twice more by the end of the game and demonstrated their ability to combine individual flair with changing game plans and strategies. Those who on this occasion spent the first half on the bench should also be pleased with their performance, particularly Alex Griffiths whose tackling was exceptional.
Barnsley were gracious in defeat and provided a welcoming atmosphere in the club house after the game where the efforts of both teams and the referee were complemented.
Sunday, 20 January 2008
Rotherhan Titans
Ionians tame the Titans
On Sunday 20 January 2007 Hull Ionians under 15s v Rotherham Titans.
Ionians prepared for their Yorkshire Cup 3rd round clash with Barnsley, with a home game against Rotherham Titans. Having taken on Doncaster last week, they knew they were going into another tough match and as Rotherham took to the field, their size and strength became obvious. Ionians were also aware of a number of Rotherham players that had recently made the Yorkshire squad.
This years bigger and stronger Ionians Team stepped up to the mark from the start and the pack matched Rotherham man for man. Ionians soon started to provide good ball on a good platform for the slightly adapted backline who unusually started with a tactical kicking game due to the strong wind behind them. Rotherham to their credit ran it straight back at them and their full back made some excellent ground as a number of I’s players were guilty of ball watching.
About 10 minutes into the game, a quick penalty saw some slick handling put full back Sam Wilson into enough space for his pace to take him over the line for the first score. This was closely followed by a powerful forward drive during which Man of the match Josh Thundercliffe forced the ball over the line. Hammersley converted and I’s went 12-0 up.
Rotherham fought back and scored from a loose kick out of defence but I’s immediately struck back with a typical burst from 20 yards out by Danny Casson playing with his favoured No 7 on his back.
The half time whistle allowed a number of changes but Casson by now had been ‘sin binned’ for pushing the Offside line once too often and I’s started the 2nd half with 14 men. Rotherham took advantage and scored again but Ionians hit back with a superb back move finshed off by Ryan Rodgers which left the solid Rotherham defence wondering what they had to do.
Rotherham again struck back and started to pile on the pressure but the Ionians backs rewarded the huge effort by the forwards with superb trys from Henry Waine and Matt Butler, the latter following a superb break from Simon Hammersley who side stepped 4 tackles before throwing out a long pass to create the try.
The game finished 36 – 19 and was a another demonstration of open flowing rugby. Although Rotherham were disappointed, they are one of the few teams in recent seasons to have breached the Ionians defence on more than a few occasions.
On Sunday 20 January 2007 Hull Ionians under 15s v Rotherham Titans.
Ionians prepared for their Yorkshire Cup 3rd round clash with Barnsley, with a home game against Rotherham Titans. Having taken on Doncaster last week, they knew they were going into another tough match and as Rotherham took to the field, their size and strength became obvious. Ionians were also aware of a number of Rotherham players that had recently made the Yorkshire squad.
This years bigger and stronger Ionians Team stepped up to the mark from the start and the pack matched Rotherham man for man. Ionians soon started to provide good ball on a good platform for the slightly adapted backline who unusually started with a tactical kicking game due to the strong wind behind them. Rotherham to their credit ran it straight back at them and their full back made some excellent ground as a number of I’s players were guilty of ball watching.
About 10 minutes into the game, a quick penalty saw some slick handling put full back Sam Wilson into enough space for his pace to take him over the line for the first score. This was closely followed by a powerful forward drive during which Man of the match Josh Thundercliffe forced the ball over the line. Hammersley converted and I’s went 12-0 up.
Rotherham fought back and scored from a loose kick out of defence but I’s immediately struck back with a typical burst from 20 yards out by Danny Casson playing with his favoured No 7 on his back.
The half time whistle allowed a number of changes but Casson by now had been ‘sin binned’ for pushing the Offside line once too often and I’s started the 2nd half with 14 men. Rotherham took advantage and scored again but Ionians hit back with a superb back move finshed off by Ryan Rodgers which left the solid Rotherham defence wondering what they had to do.
Rotherham again struck back and started to pile on the pressure but the Ionians backs rewarded the huge effort by the forwards with superb trys from Henry Waine and Matt Butler, the latter following a superb break from Simon Hammersley who side stepped 4 tackles before throwing out a long pass to create the try.
The game finished 36 – 19 and was a another demonstration of open flowing rugby. Although Rotherham were disappointed, they are one of the few teams in recent seasons to have breached the Ionians defence on more than a few occasions.
Sunday, 13 January 2008
Doncaster
Hull Ionians Under 15s V Doncaster
Sunday 13 January 2007
Ionians travelled to their Old rivals Doncaster for their first game since the Christmas break. I’s took a full squad of players except for the injured Centre Will Heylings who was once again replaced by the Yorkshire Open side flanker Danny Casson.
The mighty Doncaster pack started with their usual intensity and where I’s have previously found themselves on the back foot for a while, on this occasion they matched them man for man from the start.
Both teams should be commended for the spirit in which the game was played, helped greatly by the referee who continually talked to the players to ensure infringements were kept to a minimum and the game was able flow. The only negative was a neck injury to the Doncaster No 10 late in the second half.
Sunday 13 January 2007
Ionians travelled to their Old rivals Doncaster for their first game since the Christmas break. I’s took a full squad of players except for the injured Centre Will Heylings who was once again replaced by the Yorkshire Open side flanker Danny Casson.
The mighty Doncaster pack started with their usual intensity and where I’s have previously found themselves on the back foot for a while, on this occasion they matched them man for man from the start.
The first 15 minutes were closely fought, with possession being shared evenly until a penalty was awarded to Doncaster in range of their fly half who took the opportunity to make it 3 – 0.
Ionians came straight back and after another closely fought period, they crossed the line with a powerful forward drive being finished off by Joe Midgely.
Thanks to some excellent refereeing, the game continued to be fast and flowing and was a great spectacle for both sets of supporters. Doncaster continued to utilise their strong pack and their No 4 and No 6 were both worthy of a mention for their powerful drives forward. Ionians defence however continued to stay strong and unbreached.
5 minutes before the break, a kick through by Ionian’s man of the match Simon Hammersley was chased by Casson who not only outstripped the defence to reach it first but managed to control a difficult bobbling ball to cross the line for another 5 points.
The conversion attempt was blown just wide by the strong wind and Ionians went into half time with a 10-3 lead.
The second half continued as a closely fought and highly competitive game. Changes were made on both sides but the intensity was maintained. Doncaster drove over the Ionian’s line after about 10 minutes to make the score 10-8 but Ionians hit back quickly as Jordan Help picked up the ball 10 yards out and powered through a number of tackles to score. Hammersley converted and the score line of 17-8 remained unchanged after the last quarter.
Both teams should be commended for the spirit in which the game was played, helped greatly by the referee who continually talked to the players to ensure infringements were kept to a minimum and the game was able flow. The only negative was a neck injury to the Doncaster No 10 late in the second half.
There were some exceptional performances by a number of the Ionians players but the whole Team did everything that had been asked of them and can enjoy the satisfaction of winning in such a manner.
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