Yorkshire Cup Semi Final 22 March 2009
Wheatley Hills 10 Hull Ionians 17 .
The Yorkshire champions travelled to Wheatley Hills on a sunny but blustery day, with one thing on their minds. Victory to take them into the Yorkshire Cup Final and a chance to maintain their unbeaten record in the competition since Under 11s.
Ionians new their opposition were strong, particularly in the forwards as they had overcome the mighty Doncaster pack in the previous round. Ionians however went with a powerful pack and a formidable and attacking backline.
Wheatley Hills kicked off in front of a passionate and vocal crowd who’s cheers echoed around the ground as a rare handling error by Hammersley gave them the momentum to charge over the Ionian’s line. A stunned Ionians team then watched as the kick bounced back of the post and Wheatley Hills re lined having stated their intent.
Wheatley Hills kicked off in front of a passionate and vocal crowd who’s cheers echoed around the ground as a rare handling error by Hammersley gave them the momentum to charge over the Ionian’s line. A stunned Ionians team then watched as the kick bounced back of the post and Wheatley Hills re lined having stated their intent.
A battle of the packs ensued and Ionians keen to throw the ball wide were locked in midfield for the next 15 minutes, with neither side gaining the upper hand. Eventually the hard battling forwards won possession and a series of back moves gained ground. Wheatley Hill’s backs however were no pushovers and some excellent defending repelled the Ionians charge.
Wheatley began to make use of the strong cross field wind and some high, testing kicks relieved the pressure and forced Ionians back. The fast and furious game was maintained throughout the half, helped by the referee who had clearly had an extra helping of common sense for breakfast.
Ionians had several close run attacks but failed to reach the line whilst Wheatley countered several times although their backs never really got the chance to run. The Wheatley forwards continued to test the I’s defence causing several scrambled clearances.
Wheatley began to make use of the strong cross field wind and some high, testing kicks relieved the pressure and forced Ionians back. The fast and furious game was maintained throughout the half, helped by the referee who had clearly had an extra helping of common sense for breakfast.
Ionians had several close run attacks but failed to reach the line whilst Wheatley countered several times although their backs never really got the chance to run. The Wheatley forwards continued to test the I’s defence causing several scrambled clearances.
Just before the break, a long range Wheatley penalty attempt just went wide. The half finished and Ionians were unusually behind.
Ionians started the second half with the wind slightly in their favour and began to look the more likely team to score. The Ionians forwards had spent the first half trying to put the backs away and now wanted a go themselves. The combination of forward running and the flare and pace of the backs began to cut holes in the desperate Wheatley defence.
The first try came as a series of forward drives put Wheatley on the back foot before slick handling of the recycled ball saw Isaac Green go over in the corner.
Ionians started the second half with the wind slightly in their favour and began to look the more likely team to score. The Ionians forwards had spent the first half trying to put the backs away and now wanted a go themselves. The combination of forward running and the flare and pace of the backs began to cut holes in the desperate Wheatley defence.
The first try came as a series of forward drives put Wheatley on the back foot before slick handling of the recycled ball saw Isaac Green go over in the corner.
The next try followed quite quickly as man of the match Josh Thundercliffe burst out of defence and a series of offloads again opened up the field for the backs to inter link and score a superb try under the posts. Hammersley converted and Ionians were in front.
Ionians continued to press and some superb kicking out of defence by Hamersley gave them more momentum. A break, this time by 2nd row Joe Midgeley, took I’s from their own half to the Wheatley 22. This time Hamersley looked outside, before placing a delicate grubber kick through the gap and over the line, which he followed up himself just beating the covering defenders to the ball. The kick went wide but Ionians had won the game.
Wheatley who are not a team to lie down continued to battle and as they did in the first minute of the game, they again attacked the Ionian’s line, this time the Scrum Half touched down, driven over by his forwards after carving through the Ionian’s pack from a well worked tap penalty.
The game finished Wheatley Hills 10 - Hull Ionians 17 and although there were several flare ups during the match, it was a pleasure to watch 2 totally committed teams playing quality Rugby over 60 minutes. The battle that had taken place on the pitch was complemented by the sporting attitude of the losers who as soon as the final whistle blew were gracious in defeat and congratulated the victors, wishing them luck in the final. This commendable attitude, typical of Rugby, was then matched by their coaching staff and supporters. Ionians now face York in the final at Brantigham Park on 26 April 2009.
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