The Champions of Yorkshire

The Yorkshire Cup Final, Hull Ionians under 15s v Doncaster



Hull Ionians 24 Doncaster 0



On Sunday 27 April 2008 The final of the Yorkshire Cup was played at Brantingham Park along with the plate final between Rotherham and Guisborough. The events drew large groups of supporters and the atmosphere was buzzing as the players stepped onto the pitch.
Ionians were keen to regain their title which they lost last year after being unable to play their first round match on the allotted date and were disqualified without having taken to their field.
I’s in this years competition had beaten Malton and Norton, Old Brodleians, Barnsley and Otley on the way and were favourites for the title having already beaten Doncaster several times this season.
The powerful Donny team are always fierce opposition and the over confidence that had affected some Ionians players after their win at Otley seemed to have drained away and was replaced by some real tension. Ionians were without 2nd row Joe Reynard due to injury, resulting in them having the slightly smaller pack and the lineout having to be rearranged.
Ionians game plan was to utilise the pace and flair in the back line which throughout the season had capitalised on the clean ball they were often presented with. In the first few minutes a slick move which saw No 7 Casson come into the line created an opportunity for winger Ben Bainbridge to finish in the corner but the ball slipped through his hands and Doncaster cleared from the resulting scrum.
Ionians immediately came back and a when awarded a penalty just outside the 22, Skipper Simon Hammersley, hoping to put some points on the board, opted to go for goal. The kick drifted wide and Doncaster cleared again.
The game at this stage was far from flowing as errors and indiscipline on both sides led to stoppage after stoppage. Eventually ,Casson again stepped into the line and burst through the defence making 25 meters before off loading to Heylings who was stopped just short of the line by a desperate Doncaster defence. As the ball was recycled, Full back Sam Wilson raced into the line and straight through a gap left by the scrambling defence and scored the first try to settle the Ionians nerves.

Doncaster came straight back with several flowing moves, one of which almost saw the No 4 break through as he joined the backline. Strong defence though rebuffed the attack and Ionians went into the break with a 5-0 lead.

The second half saw the game improve as the nerves had gone and both sides were determined to play their best Rugby. Ionians saw more of the ball with No 8 Hodges jumping at 2 taking most of the line outs. Doncaster battled hard and eventually the outside centre who was outstanding throughout, broke through in the middle of the park. A try saving tackle from Wilson saved Ionians blushes and after several more phases of play, the ball reached the Ionians left wing Henry Waine who flew down the line to put I’s 10 points clear.

Chris Skelley took to the field for Jordan Help and Alistair Wilde who had come on in the second row were the first of several changes to the front 5. Ionians were now starting to dominate and Doncaster only had 15 minutes to defy the odds. To their credit they continued to battle but as I’s again were stopped short of the line, the ball was recycled to Man of the Match Will Heylings who leapt like a salmon over 2 defenders to put Ionians out of sight. Hammersley who had kicked Ionians out of trouble several times, added the conversion.

Just before the end, a try from Casson who took a pass from Wilde giving him enough space to burst through the line and score. This left Hammersley the final task of taking the score to 24-0.

Doncaster should be proud of their efforts but Ionians were worthy winners and maintained their 100 % record in the Yorkshire cup since Under 12s. This also rounded off a fantastic season in which the whole squad contributed to numerous outstanding team performances. On this occasion some spent most of the game eagerly waiting to get on but all should feel part of this year’s achievements.


Apologies for this weeks pictures but the Team photographer was more nervous than the players.