The Lexus Junior Festival 2008 / 2009.
On Sunday 21 September, Hull Ionians Under 16s travelled to Sheffield Tigers in a bid to retain their regional title as Lexus champions and qualify for the National final.
I’s were drawn in Group A along with Harrogate, Old Brodlians and Burton and although they had to leave a number of squad players at home due to the competition rules, they still had a great deal of strength in depth.
Each game of 12 a side and 7 minutes each way left no room for complacency and as Ionians started against Harrogate, it was half time before they woke up. After a dreary first 7 minutes, I’s kicked off with a bit more determination and alertness. Although Harrogate never looked like scoring, I’s spilled a number of balls in try scoring positions to come away with a 0 – 0 draw.
The second game against Brods was played with a little more fire. Tries from Henry Waine, Will Heylings and Simon Hammersley capitalised on the posession given to the backs (2 conversions by Hammersley) and I’s started to look like they were there to win.
Although coach Sean Carty had consistently made changes in order to allow players to perform, the final pool game against Burton saw 6 or 7 changes from the original line up against Harrogate. I’s took the lead early as Jordan Help burst through tackles to cross the line and winger Josh Pooley finished off a good back move to make it 10 – 0 at half time. Burton held back the tide for the rest of the game and I’s went in to the Semi Finals as group winners.
The semi final was against Lutterworth who were unfortunate enough to have been drawn against an ionians side now fully charged.
Within seconds of thekick off, Sam Wilson gathered the ball and raced 40 yards down the wing to score. a few minutes later scrum half Isaac Green finished off a move from the back of the scrum and hammersley converted. Wilson then again raced down the wing to score and Josh Pooley and Will Heylings both showed their pace as they raced over the line from distance to make it 31 - 0 at half time.
The second half again saw both Pooley and Heylings capitalise on slick handling through the back line and captain Danny Casson picked up from a scrum to power over the line.
The final score of 48 - 0 was a stark warning for the final opposition.
The other semi final saw Harrogate narrowly beaten by Nottingham who had looked the strongst team in Pool B by far.
7 hours after Ionians arrived at Sheffield, the whistle blew for the start of the final and the chance to retain their title as Lexus champions. within 2 minutes, Sam Wilson again finished off a back move to score and a few minutels later he also chased down a kick through by Hammersley to make it 10 - 0 at half time. Nottingham had seen some possession but were unable to break through the solid ionians defence.
3 minutes into the second half, No 10 Simon Hammersley darted through several gaps to score a trade mark individual try which he converted himself. Nottigham refused to give in and when I's failed to deal effectively with a kick over the top, they recycled the ball and forced their way onto the scoreboard.
Alex Griffiths then joined a forwards charge towards the Nottingham line and finished off the drive from 10 yards out to seal the Ionians victory at 22 points to 5.
On Sunday 21 September, Hull Ionians Under 16s travelled to Sheffield Tigers in a bid to retain their regional title as Lexus champions and qualify for the National final.
I’s were drawn in Group A along with Harrogate, Old Brodlians and Burton and although they had to leave a number of squad players at home due to the competition rules, they still had a great deal of strength in depth.
Each game of 12 a side and 7 minutes each way left no room for complacency and as Ionians started against Harrogate, it was half time before they woke up. After a dreary first 7 minutes, I’s kicked off with a bit more determination and alertness. Although Harrogate never looked like scoring, I’s spilled a number of balls in try scoring positions to come away with a 0 – 0 draw.
The second game against Brods was played with a little more fire. Tries from Henry Waine, Will Heylings and Simon Hammersley capitalised on the posession given to the backs (2 conversions by Hammersley) and I’s started to look like they were there to win.
Although coach Sean Carty had consistently made changes in order to allow players to perform, the final pool game against Burton saw 6 or 7 changes from the original line up against Harrogate. I’s took the lead early as Jordan Help burst through tackles to cross the line and winger Josh Pooley finished off a good back move to make it 10 – 0 at half time. Burton held back the tide for the rest of the game and I’s went in to the Semi Finals as group winners.
The semi final was against Lutterworth who were unfortunate enough to have been drawn against an ionians side now fully charged.
Within seconds of thekick off, Sam Wilson gathered the ball and raced 40 yards down the wing to score. a few minutes later scrum half Isaac Green finished off a move from the back of the scrum and hammersley converted. Wilson then again raced down the wing to score and Josh Pooley and Will Heylings both showed their pace as they raced over the line from distance to make it 31 - 0 at half time.
The second half again saw both Pooley and Heylings capitalise on slick handling through the back line and captain Danny Casson picked up from a scrum to power over the line.
The final score of 48 - 0 was a stark warning for the final opposition.
The other semi final saw Harrogate narrowly beaten by Nottingham who had looked the strongst team in Pool B by far.
7 hours after Ionians arrived at Sheffield, the whistle blew for the start of the final and the chance to retain their title as Lexus champions. within 2 minutes, Sam Wilson again finished off a back move to score and a few minutels later he also chased down a kick through by Hammersley to make it 10 - 0 at half time. Nottingham had seen some possession but were unable to break through the solid ionians defence.
3 minutes into the second half, No 10 Simon Hammersley darted through several gaps to score a trade mark individual try which he converted himself. Nottigham refused to give in and when I's failed to deal effectively with a kick over the top, they recycled the ball and forced their way onto the scoreboard.
Alex Griffiths then joined a forwards charge towards the Nottingham line and finished off the drive from 10 yards out to seal the Ionians victory at 22 points to 5.
1 comment:
Nice report.
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