Man of the match v Doncaster

The Infante Henrique, Duke of Viseu was an important figure in the early days of the Portuguese Empire, being responsible for the beginning of the European worldwide explorations. He is known in English as Prince Henry the Navigator through any backline placed in front of him.
It is a common conception that Henry gathered at his Vila on the Sagres peninsula a school of navigators and map-makers. He did employ some cartographers to help him coast through the Doncaster defence.
Henry is described as a person with no luxuries, not avaricious, speaking with soft words and calm gestures, a man of many virtues that never allowed any poor person leave his presence empty handed.

Determined Doncaster denied

Hull Ionians 19 Doncaster 16.

On Sunday 19 October 2008 Ionians hosted a strong Doncaster squad who without doubt were determined to win. Ionians had several years worth of successes and although a couple of key players were being rested, they retained the upper hand.

Doncaster stepped up with their usual ferocity, their powerful pack now strengthened by the recently aquired No 4 from the County / Leeds programme.

Ionians held some of their power houses back for the 2nd half, and for 10 minutes were in charge. Although Doncaster saw more of the ball, Ionians looked more dangerous and when centre Henry Waine was shown a bit of space, he raced 40 yards before placing a clever chip towards the line. Full back Sam Wilson then outstripped the Donny defence to touch the ball down.

Torkington converted and for a while I's were in charge.

To their credit, Doncaster's pack hit back and began to dominate the game as some of the Ionians forwards looked on. Doncaster played a kicking game throughout, wasting so much possession but after 20 minutes they started to utilise what the forwards worked so hard to give them. After several big drives, the number 6 drove over the line and although they failed to convert, a later penalty saw their 10 kick them into a 8 - 7 lead.

Big games from Doris, Hodges and Midgeley held back the Doncaster charge.

After the break, Doncaster looked confident and went all out to win. A kick to no where resulted in a 5m scrum and as the 8 popped the ball to the 9, enough space was created for the I's defence to be breached.

A missed conversion followed by a penalty saw Donny take a significant lead but Ionian's determination to avoid defeat saw Josh Thundercliffe power over the line followed by a scintillating run by Henry Waine which allowed Isaac Green to kick for victory.

Ionians won by 19 points to 16 and retained their unbeaten record but new they 'd been in a game. Although the match had seen some unnecessary nastiness, both teams were responsible for an excellent display of junior Rugby.

Man of the match v Titans

In Greek mythology, the Titans were a race of powerful Rugby players that ruled during the legendary Golden Age. Their role as Elder Gods being overthrown by a present race of younger gods, the Ionians effected a mythological paradigm shift that the Greeks borrowed from the Ancient Near East.

An example of an Ionian is shown below.

Ionians roll over Rotherham

Sunday 12 October 2008.

Ionians stepped on to the show pitch at Brantingham Park with a nearly full squad and virtually 2 powerful packs. From the start, they dominated the game and the backs took great delight in throwing around ball repeatedly given to them by a dominant pack.

Leading from the front, Captain Danny Casson opened the scoring, followed by tries from Henry Waine, Brad Willingham and Isaac Green most of which were converted by Hammersley.

The ball continued to be sprayed about as the forwards won ball after ball and a series of slick moves created numerous gaps and opportunities. Alex Griffiths again dominated the line outs and the pack in general won most of the loose ball as well as the scrums.

The recently formed partnership in the centres of Torkington and Waine continually punched holes in the Titans defence and Waine and full back Wilson added further tries before half time.

After the break, 5 changes were made in the pack and Willingham moved to scrum half, with Green moving to 10 allowing the ever outstanding Hammersley to rest.

Elliot Hodges playing 2nd row and then No 8 took over from Griffiths in the line outs and Ionians continued to take advantage of the possession and the wide pitch, running in several more tries. Jordan Help who had taken over from Josh ‘Thunders’ Thundercliffe at prop, continued to drive static ball forward and scored under the posts late in the game. Other tries from Wilson, Casson and Waine took the final score to 62 -0

A superb team performance showed the strength in depth of the Ionians squad and left the powerful Rotherham Titans reeling as the Ionian tide swept them away.

The Rotherham players fought hard throughout the game but unable to win any ball, they were unable to get into the game. I'm sure many of their players accepted defeat gracefully unlike their match reporter who suggests Jordan as seen above and or some of the others? are over age. That and other such cynicism penned on the Rotherham website is not only incorrect but has no place in junior sport.

Yorkshire - Lexus Junior Rugby Festival 2008

Yorkshire - Lexus Junior Rugby Festival 2008

Ionians scale Wheatley Hill

Ionians travelled to Wheatley Hills, not only without the 7 players on representative duties and the injured Domnhall Talbot, but also without their long serving team photographer Simon Heylings for whom I’s are seeking a replacement.
I’s stepped up to the mark, to take on a feisty, unbeaten Wheatley Hills side who themselves were without 2 or 3 players.

Alex Torkington moved from 12 to 10 and Josh Pooley played his first game as a Centre since converting to Union. Alex Rodgers also played his first game at full back. The forwards were all in their own positions other than Joe Midgely who today decided to be an outstanding No 8.

The pack, led by Dom Carty took the game to Wheatley Hills from the start and after a closely contested 10 minutes, clean ball just outside the 22 saw Torkington put Pooley through a gap in the centre and having burst through towards the line, Pooley unselfishly drew the Full back and put Torkington in under the posts.
Torkington converted and several minutes later kicked a penalty to secure a 10 – 0 lead.

Ionians played the remainder of the game with 14 men after a sin binning and the loss of Jordan help but continued to dominate the first half. The I’s forwards were outstanding, with Alex Griffiths taking numerous line outs and the scrums holding as solid as usual.
With a few minutes remaining of the first half, Torkington feigned to Pooley and stepped through the gap before racing over the line to score his second converted try.
I’s went into half time with a 17 – 0 lead and psychological advantage despite being down to 14 men.

The second half saw some giant performances as the whole Ionians team and particularly the forwards defended their unbeaten run. It would be unfair to identify individuals as it was a team performance that kept Ionians ahead despite a Wheatley Hills try under the posts early in the second half.

Wheatley Hills scored again with about 15 minutes to go and were within 3 points as they piled on the pressure. Although I’s still had the attacking flair to score, several forays into the opposition half were equally well defended and came to nothing.

I’s in the end came away with a 17 – 14 victory and a huge confidence boost for those who have been overlooked in the highly competitive representative arena.