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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I's progress in the yorkshire cup

Ionians tackle Brods in the quarter finals.

Hull Ionians under 16s made there way through the Yorkshire cup quater finals against probably the best side they have faced all season.
Ionians strengthened by the return of their county and North of England players went in to the game full of confidence and ready to attack.
I’s in their last game had been defeated by Sheffield having made the long trip without a number of representative players (sorry Sheffield, no match reporter present) and subsequently were determined to get back into winning ways.
I’s started well with Elliot Hodges driving over to score from the base of the a scrum after only a few minutes.

Brods who demonstrated great team spirit throughout, took the game straight back to I’s and a long period of stalemate took place in the centre of the field. Brods nearly scoring a break away try as Simon Hammersley and Henry Waine showed incredible pace to cover back and save a certain 7 points.
Brods played a an attacking game each time they won the ball but a potential 9 points were wasted by missed penalties by the full back who otherwise was outstanding.
After 20 minutes, Josh Thundercliffe drove towards the line from a break down and the recycled ball was picked up by No 7 Casson who powered through the desperate defence to score and give I’s a 10 - 0 lead.
Brods continued to battle and scored a superb try in the centre just after I’s had gone further a head with a slick back move finished in the corner.
At half time the score stood at 17 - 5 but the game was far from over.
Brods kicked off the 2nd half with the same spirit and determination that had held back the strongest team I’s had turned out for sometime. A close battle ensued which was edged in I’s favour when the superb Henry Waine scored the first of his 2 tries, the 2nd being an inspirational race from his own half round the outside of some extremely competent opposition.
Brods deservedly crossed the Ionians line again, refusing to concede but the game finished 29 - 10

This match was not only fast and furious but saw some superb performances by players on both sides. The rucking technique of the Brods forwards was a credit to their coaches and their backs were excellent in both attack and defence.

The Ionians back row led by captain Danny Casson were superb throughout and several other individuals excelled but the front 5’s on both sides battled hard for possession and should share the plaudits.

Man of the Match v Harrogate

In the absence of the official photogropher I have scoured our records for an old picture of Joe. I'm not sure the waistcoat would fit anyway.
This is how he would have looked if we still had a photographer

Ionians win in the snow

Hull Ionians 12 - Harrogate 6

Harrogate travelled to Brantingham Park on a chilly Sunday morning with snow on the ground. The ground beneath was not frozen and the early morning sun helped the decision to play.

Harrogate were short of a few players and although I's were not fully up to strength, they were able to spare Ryan Rodgers and Alistair Wilde who performed valiantly for the opposition.

Ionians started well with plenty of ball being won by the forwards and several attacks nearly breaking through the Harrogate defence. The visitors however were determined and throughout the game showed great resilience, tackling anything that moved.

Harrogate's tactical kicking game was effective and threatening and although Sam Wilson dealt well with most of the kicks well, poor support for the full back left I's looking vulnerable. Eventually Harrogate gained enough ground to get within sight of the posts and a cleanly kicked penalty put the 3 points ahead.

I's continued to attack and after being held up over the line several times, Isaac Green playing at 10 raced through a gap to put the home team in front for the first time in the game. The conversion made it 7 - 3 and the game continued in a similar vein until the break.

The second half saw a slightly changed Ionians team and the return of Henry Waine at outside centre, the Ionian's attacks though were still repelled by a strong Harrogate defence. A flat Ionian's line had failed to make the most of the ball in the first half and continued after the break. The forwards then started to run off the back of set pieces and the break downs to good effect. Hodges and Midgely being particularly successful, recycling the ball on each occasion.

After about 10 minutes a penalty near the line was fed to Jordan Help who steamed over the line to score and showed another big attacking asset available.

Harrogate fought back well and tried several nearly successful back moves as well as more tactical kicking. With about 7 minutes to go another penalty kick put the within 6 points of the home team and although I's nearly added to their tally Harrogate also came close to more points.

I's having learned some lessons from the York game were better but still wanting in attack and still suffered from poor communication. Joe Midgely playing at No 8 was awarded man of the match in what was an extremely fair and good tempered game of Rugby in the snow.

York spoil the party

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