Hull Ionians (U14) vs Doncaster (U14) Sunday 19th October

Hull Ionians (U14) vs Doncaster (U14) Sunday 19th October

A fine game of rugby, played in great spirit by both sides, saw the visitors ease away in the second half to a 24-7 victory.
During the first half I’s forwards matched the well organised Doncaster pack, as both sides fought to dominate the other at the breakdown and in the tight. The visitors’ game plan, to compensate for perhaps a lack of out and out speed in the back line, was to keep things tight. With outside half Joe Shakespeare putting in some fine kicks with both feet, I’s found themselves turning and defending on several occasions.
Once again I’s had cause to thank full back Alex Wilkinson’s blistering pace as he picked up a rare loose Doncaster kick just outside his 22, broke left, and accelerated away to score under the posts without a finger laid on him. With the conversion I’s edged into a 7-0 lead.
Another well placed kick down the right touchline from Shakespeare had I’s defending once more under real pressure just short of their line and from the resulting scrum a pick up and drive saw the visitors over just to the right of the posts, and the game evenly matched 7-5 at halftime.
During the second half the Doncaster forwards began to turn the screw slowly but surely, and with Shakespeare using the wind at his back to pin I’s back with a series of well placed corner kicks, the constant pressure saw them cross the I’s line from close range on three further occasions to run out well deserved winners.
Every defeat, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve performance the next time so if the I’s forwards can learn to get to the breakdown more quickly, and secure good quality ball, their very pacy backs can run in many tries this season.