I think you might need some Daz Doz
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Harrogate Spa becomes a mud bath
Harrogate 5 Hull Ionians 43
Ionians travelled to Harrogate on a mild Sunday morning, with ideal weather for Rugby. Unfortunately heavy rain over the preceding days had turned Harrogate Spa into a mud bath. As the teams took to the field their clean shirts were destined to be coated in mud within minutes.
The game began at a ferocious pace as the sticky mud failed to slow down either team and the first 5 minutes were played in the middle of the pitch . Eventually the Ionians backs broke through but were held up 10 meters short of the line. The powerful Ionians pack took over and in a copy cat move of last week they powered over the line. On this occasion Joe Rennard touched down.
Harrogate were undeterred and a hard fought forward battle ensued. Tactical kicking by both sides caused difficulties for the other but both sides to their credit still tried to run the ball where possible.
The stalemate was broken as Harrogate eventually forced their way into the Ionians half but a break along the right wing ended as Ionians’s winger Josh Pooley intercepted and raced 50 meters to score under the posts. Hammersley converted and Ionians took a 12 - 0 lead.
Despite the scoreline, Harrogate became more confident and determined and for the last few minutes of the half and the first 10 minutes of the second half, looked likely to score. Eventually Ionians prop Josh Thundercliffe (playing at Hooker for the injured Dom Carty) made a powerful run through the middle but as his off load slipped out of the hands of Casson, Harrogate countered . Some quick thinking and quick handling put them in a strong attacking position but the move was halted as the ball was grounded just short of the line.
Ionians went back on the offensive and Thundercliffe who had spent the first half on the bench was determined to make his mark. Following up another I’s attack he collected the ball and powered his way through several defenders to score. Hamersley again converted but Harrogate refused to concede the game.
Harrogate by now had given up kicking and realised running the ball was creating more opportunities. They were eventually rewarded with an unconverted try as some well timed passing opened the door for the outside centre who finished a good move in the corner.
Ionians then followed the lead and 2 superb back moves created tries for wingers Bainbridge and Pooley. A break by Henry Waine from his own half then gave full back Sam Wilson the opportunity to join the score sheet.
Harrogate who had fought valiantly throughout became frustrated by the score line and started to lose their discipline, the habit of 1 or 2 players questioning every decision was taken up by more. This marred what had been until this point a good tempered game and great Rugby spectacle.
In the last few minutes a delicate chip through by Hammersley was collected by flanker Danny Casson who popped the ball to Jordan Help who passed the ball wide with all the finesse of a centre. As the Harrogate defence raced towards the corner, Torkington stepped inside and finished near the posts giving himself an easy conversion to add to the final tally.
Despite strong opposition, the Ionians forwards were superb throughout the game and provided good ball for the backs in extremely difficult conditions . That combined with another good display by the half backs gave plenty of opportunity for the wider players to use their pace and flair to convert possession into points.
Ionians travelled to Harrogate on a mild Sunday morning, with ideal weather for Rugby. Unfortunately heavy rain over the preceding days had turned Harrogate Spa into a mud bath. As the teams took to the field their clean shirts were destined to be coated in mud within minutes.
The game began at a ferocious pace as the sticky mud failed to slow down either team and the first 5 minutes were played in the middle of the pitch . Eventually the Ionians backs broke through but were held up 10 meters short of the line. The powerful Ionians pack took over and in a copy cat move of last week they powered over the line. On this occasion Joe Rennard touched down.
Harrogate were undeterred and a hard fought forward battle ensued. Tactical kicking by both sides caused difficulties for the other but both sides to their credit still tried to run the ball where possible.
The stalemate was broken as Harrogate eventually forced their way into the Ionians half but a break along the right wing ended as Ionians’s winger Josh Pooley intercepted and raced 50 meters to score under the posts. Hammersley converted and Ionians took a 12 - 0 lead.
Despite the scoreline, Harrogate became more confident and determined and for the last few minutes of the half and the first 10 minutes of the second half, looked likely to score. Eventually Ionians prop Josh Thundercliffe (playing at Hooker for the injured Dom Carty) made a powerful run through the middle but as his off load slipped out of the hands of Casson, Harrogate countered . Some quick thinking and quick handling put them in a strong attacking position but the move was halted as the ball was grounded just short of the line.
Ionians went back on the offensive and Thundercliffe who had spent the first half on the bench was determined to make his mark. Following up another I’s attack he collected the ball and powered his way through several defenders to score. Hamersley again converted but Harrogate refused to concede the game.
Harrogate by now had given up kicking and realised running the ball was creating more opportunities. They were eventually rewarded with an unconverted try as some well timed passing opened the door for the outside centre who finished a good move in the corner.
Ionians then followed the lead and 2 superb back moves created tries for wingers Bainbridge and Pooley. A break by Henry Waine from his own half then gave full back Sam Wilson the opportunity to join the score sheet.
Harrogate who had fought valiantly throughout became frustrated by the score line and started to lose their discipline, the habit of 1 or 2 players questioning every decision was taken up by more. This marred what had been until this point a good tempered game and great Rugby spectacle.
In the last few minutes a delicate chip through by Hammersley was collected by flanker Danny Casson who popped the ball to Jordan Help who passed the ball wide with all the finesse of a centre. As the Harrogate defence raced towards the corner, Torkington stepped inside and finished near the posts giving himself an easy conversion to add to the final tally.
Despite strong opposition, the Ionians forwards were superb throughout the game and provided good ball for the backs in extremely difficult conditions . That combined with another good display by the half backs gave plenty of opportunity for the wider players to use their pace and flair to convert possession into points.
Thursday, 22 January 2009
Individual success for Ionians players
This season Ionians players have gained places in vaious representative squads.
In recent trials a number made the East Yorkshire squad which is scheduled to play a series of matches over the next few months.
Although 7 made the final County trials earlier in the season, 4 were successful, including fly half Simon Hammersley. The other 3 (shown below), Will Heylings, Josh Thundercliffe and Danny Casson went on to reach the elite North of England Squad and gained the chance to perform in front of some of Rugby's top selectors at the full England trials.
Centre / Wing, Will Heylings is amogst a squad of 40 set to form the majority of the England and the England A squads.
In recent trials a number made the East Yorkshire squad which is scheduled to play a series of matches over the next few months.
Although 7 made the final County trials earlier in the season, 4 were successful, including fly half Simon Hammersley. The other 3 (shown below), Will Heylings, Josh Thundercliffe and Danny Casson went on to reach the elite North of England Squad and gained the chance to perform in front of some of Rugby's top selectors at the full England trials.
Centre / Wing, Will Heylings is amogst a squad of 40 set to form the majority of the England and the England A squads.
Sunday, 18 January 2009
Man of the match v Brods
Somebody look after this while I go and get my fez (If Joe hasn't put it on Ebay). Me and this No 8 are going to have a funny hat competition.Ionians start 2009 as they mean to go on
Hull Ionians under 16s v Old Brods
Brods returned to Brantingham Park, determined to win and keen for revenge following the Yorkshire cup defeat by I’s in December.
I’s having won the toss, opted to play the first half into the chilly and gusty wind . The ball headed deep into Ionians territory as the forwards stood and watched as it bounced between them . Eventually it was collected and a close fought 10 minutes began.
Brods returned to Brantingham Park, determined to win and keen for revenge following the Yorkshire cup defeat by I’s in December.
I’s having won the toss, opted to play the first half into the chilly and gusty wind . The ball headed deep into Ionians territory as the forwards stood and watched as it bounced between them . Eventually it was collected and a close fought 10 minutes began.
Ionians had the majority of possession, Rennard and Griffiths dominating the lineouts and solid forward play in the loose gave the backs plenty of opportunity to attack. Unfortunately a series of errors caused by over complicated play in windy conditions enabled the quick Brods defence to counter and drive Ionians back.
Brods scored first with a penalty but Ionians hit back almost immediately when a simple and well rehearsed back move gave Henry Waine just enough room to race 35 yards down the wing to score.
Brods scored first with a penalty but Ionians hit back almost immediately when a simple and well rehearsed back move gave Henry Waine just enough room to race 35 yards down the wing to score.
Ionains scored again about 20 minutes in when their slightly heavier pack took a rolling maul all the way from the 22 to the try line. No 8 smiling Joe Midgely breaking free with the ball to touch down.
Brods continued to battle and quickly capitalised on a handling error to score under the posts. Within a few minutes they took the lead as the outside centre anticipating a long pass, intercepted the ball, deep in his own half and raced unopposed to score. Suddenly Brods were in front and their confidence was growing. A further breakaway try was only frustrated by the ever safe tackling of full back Sam Wilson .
In the second half, Ionians although behind were always in charge as the forwards continued to dominate and some sensible use of the wind kept them camped in the Brods half.
10 minutes in, Ionians drew level as Midgely again came out with the ball after another well worked and controlled forwards drive of at least 20 yards. A score line of 15 all and 2 well organised teams both with the players to turn the game made for an exciting last quarter.
As Ionians continued to put the pressure on and Brods struggled to get out of their half, a charge down by Centre Torkington gave him the chance to kick through and on winning the race for the ball touch down beneath the posts. Hammersley converted and I’s were back in front.
In the second half, Ionians although behind were always in charge as the forwards continued to dominate and some sensible use of the wind kept them camped in the Brods half.
10 minutes in, Ionians drew level as Midgely again came out with the ball after another well worked and controlled forwards drive of at least 20 yards. A score line of 15 all and 2 well organised teams both with the players to turn the game made for an exciting last quarter.
As Ionians continued to put the pressure on and Brods struggled to get out of their half, a charge down by Centre Torkington gave him the chance to kick through and on winning the race for the ball touch down beneath the posts. Hammersley converted and I’s were back in front.
Following a few more minutes of pressure, quick thing scrum half and man of the match, Isaac Green exploited a gap in the Brods defence with a quickly taken penalty, putting the unstoppable Danny Casson into enough space to score in the corner.
The final score of 27 - 15 was a fair reflection of the game which was another close fought contest with some excellent attacking rugby from both sides.
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