Ionians confident of an easy victory strolled onto the pitch like something out of a Kevin and Perry movie and trained at half pace for an hour before ambling out again for the kick off.
Appearing almost deaf to their instructions and the coach’s demands for concentration, the players conspired for their own defeat.
Under strength due to County commitments and injury, victory would still be easy as the game started with I’s playing into the wind.
The majority of the first half was spent in the York half although little ball reached the back line as the York forwards sought to kill the ball however they could. When it did reach the backs it was dropped or knocked on as Ionians wasted chance after chance.
The York 10 fired a long drop goal home after a an isolated foray into the Ionian’s half and having been held up over the line on at least 3 occasions, Ionians went into the break 3 points behind.
A few changes were made but the players seemed determined to complicate the required simple game plan.
Early in the second half, poor communication resulted in a spilled ball which was collected by a pacey York player who raced half the length of the pitch to stretch the lead to 8. The conversion made it 10 and suddenly Ionians were in unchartered territory.
For 20 minutes, Ionians piled on the pressure as York defended with great determination and commitment. Without penalty however , they killed the ball continually and prevented opportunities for Ionians to capitalise on their possession.
Jordan Help managed to force his way over the line with about 15 minutes to go and the conversion left a 3 point gap.
I’s continued to pile on the pressure with some forwards giving everything but from most there was lethargy or panic. Poor decision making and numerous handling errors left the previously unbeaten Ionians stunned as the final whistle blew.
York 10 - Hull Ionians 7
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7 comments:
excuses, excuses, excuses!
Steve Maud York RUFC u16's Coach. You will no doubt be more focused next time we meet. York do not poach players from other clubs and the boys that took the field on Sunday gave every ounce of effort. Many come from non rugby playing schools but they showed what tenacious defence and commitment can bring. Twice in the first half York players found themselves 1 on 1 with the last defender and twice their decision making let them down otherwise the half time score could have been much more favourable to York. The try scored by the Ionians forward was a double movement however the pressure they had exerted on the line deserved reward. we have 3 players to come back into our side who will strengthen us, we cannot boast 6 at County duty but we recruit York based players and do not cherry pick from elsewhere. Complacency and arrogance can be undone by lesser mortals working as a team together. So credit where credit is due, the Ionians bubble burst on a thorny and determined York defence. Acknowledgement of an opponents contribution is part of rugby, at least it used to be when I played. So the King has lost his throne, even though it maybe temporary, by the sounds of your report you have missed the opportunity to learn the some very valuable lessons. Part of playing a game is learning to lose with dignity. Bring out your big guns next time, we have had our day in the sun, or have we?
PS thanks for giving our match balls back.
I agree with steve maud that one day even the best fail, i don't come here to gloat but to reward the effort put in by both sides. It appears that on this occasion york's decision making and team effort matched if not beat that of Hull and we were therefore rewarded with a win. I feel it is unnaceptable as a coach/manager to place blaim on squad members for a defeat, could this be why York won?
oh, by the way, what a kick from Will Stephen! 40M!!!!
Just goes to show that determination and power will always overcome that which hasnt been prepared and hasnt got into the mindset of a rugby game beforehand. It also shows that if ionians had not been as cocky before the game and not slacked of in warming up the game may have gone the other way, but again i reiterate the point that you should never go into a game thinking its going to be easy you should always be prepared and ready because any team can give a good hard game, which was definately shown by yorks 10-7 win on sunday
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