Bradford and Bingley (U14) vs Hull Ionians (U14)
Sunday 23rd November
Ionians left the snow and ice of East Yorkshire behind to find sun and perfect rugby playing conditions for their Yorkshire Plate tie at B&B.
Despite a number of players late arrival resulting in some last minute changes to the team sheet the benefit of the strong squad system I’s have been developing was apparent as they started the game in uncharacteristically strong style and swiftly moved into a two try lead. This early boost to their confidence was plain for all to see and the desire and effort from the entire team saw them run out easy winners and keep a clean sheet on a glorious winter’s morning in the Aire Valley.
I’s opened the scoring through a strong burst from James Norton down the left touchline outpacing the covering Bees defence to score the opening try of the game. Pete McGlynn fielded the resultant restart and showed good strength and pace to score again down the right putting I’s two tries up within the first 5 minutes. A brief period of Bees pressure following a break up the middle led to I’s recovery of the ball close to their own try line before the ball was worked to Alex Wilko who scored a long range effort outpacing the Bees defence in typical style. This was followed by yet another strong break only for Wilko to have the ball stripped in an excellent cover tackle just short of the line.
Following a line out, I’s pressure from the quick breaking flanker Joe Barber saw a spilled ball close to the Bees line collected by Jack Stanny to score a short range effort and stretch the lead.
There followed a period of strong rucking and good handling by I’s in which Jack towns several times made good ground as the ball worked it’s way out wide.
Further I’s pressure saw Jack Stanny charge down a Bees kick on half way and from the subsequent ruck I’s worked the ball back well, fly half Olly Martin kept a cool head to draw the defence and spread the ball wide to utilise the overlap and put James Norton in for his second try. Not to be outshone by his brother, Ollie Norton made a strong stepping break through the middle beating half of the Bees side before setting the ball well and linking with the backs for James Norton to score with a flourish in the corner just before half time.
Half time : 36-0.
Ionians made a number of changes both individual and positional at half time but this did not seem to affect the performance from the reconfigured team. The second half opened with the fired up Bee’s best period of pressure on the I’s line but strong defence weathered the storm. The solid I’s scrimmaging which was evident throughout the game with the forwards clearly benefitting from working with the 1st team, saw the ball worked out to centre Jack Johnson who went on a typically strong and elusive run down the left before cutting back under the posts to take the I’s score past the decisive 40 point mark and the game, as a contest officially over. The plucky Bees agreed to continue the game and never lacked effort in a game which was played in good spirit despite the mounting score line.
More I’s pressure from Ollie Martin’s fine break up the middle who was unlucky not to break clear saw the ball worked off the ruck to Ryan Courtney who with two side steps, a dummy and a props turn of speed scored under the posts for his first try in I’s colours.
Straight from the restart Jack Stanny entertained the crowd with a spot of juggling as he took the kick before cutting his way through the middle of the Bees defence shrugging off numerous challenges to score next to the posts. The I’s scoring was rounded off with good work from the backs which saw fast hands and good support play release Jack Johnson to score under the posts. This final score was converted by Ryan Courtney to round off an impressive Ionians performance from minute 1 until the final whistle. If the form showed today can be carried forward into the rest of the season the team and supporters can look forward to a fine remainder of the season.
Monday, 24 November 2008
Monday, 17 November 2008
HullIonians (U14) vs Thorne (U14) Sunday 16th November
Hull Ionians (U14) vs Thorne (U14) Sunday 16th November
On a perfect day for rugby Ionians under 14’s played some great rugby which culminated in a 19-17 victory against a spirited Thorne side that never gave up.
Both sides played some open rugby and it was 15 minutes before the deadlock was broken. With the ever improving I’s pack securing clean ball it was left to the backs to execute a sublime move straight from the training pitch. Tyler Heelas called the target ball for Jack Johnson who cut a lovely line through the Thorne defence to score under the posts. Ollie Martin converted to give I’s a 7-0 lead. I’s kept threatening but let a couple of overlaps go begging. However it was not long before the lead was further extended. Elliot Armstrong collected a loose ball on the left wing and rather than driving the ball back into the Thorne forwards he saw space out to the right and delivered a long pass of 20yds to the free backs. Peter Ferguson who found himself in the centres used his speed to out pace the Thorne defence and score under the posts with Ollie Martin converting again. With half time approaching Thorne started to pressurize the I’s line. A series of scrums followed, with I’s just managing to hold out with the whistle going and the line still not breached.
The second half started strongly for I’s and within 2 minutes had scored another try. Good ruck ball set up by the ever improving Jo Barber released Jack Johnson on another break with Peter Ferguson on hand claim his second try and give 19-0 lead. Little did I’s realize how important it was going to be that they had 2 tries under the posts.
A series of injuries to Thorne then saw uncontested scrums become a part of the game which seemed to have a negative impact on I’s. It was from a scrum that the Thorne scrum half picked up the ball and race to the corner for what was a deserved score. Thorne continued to come back into the game and after I’s were penalized several times for not retiring, Thorne eventually scored their 2nd try. With about 6 minutes left I’s supporters were surely thinking they were not going to throw this one away. The tension got even worse when with 1 minute remaining Thorne scored their 3rd try after sustained pressure on the I’s line. This made the score 19-17 and I’s hanging on for victory. From the kick off Thorne’s centre who had been their best player all day set off on another run. It took 3 players to stop him and when the Thorne number 8 knocked the ball on, it was all over and I’s could breathe a sigh of relief, probably the supporters more than the players who had very few nails left.
On a perfect day for rugby Ionians under 14’s played some great rugby which culminated in a 19-17 victory against a spirited Thorne side that never gave up.
Both sides played some open rugby and it was 15 minutes before the deadlock was broken. With the ever improving I’s pack securing clean ball it was left to the backs to execute a sublime move straight from the training pitch. Tyler Heelas called the target ball for Jack Johnson who cut a lovely line through the Thorne defence to score under the posts. Ollie Martin converted to give I’s a 7-0 lead. I’s kept threatening but let a couple of overlaps go begging. However it was not long before the lead was further extended. Elliot Armstrong collected a loose ball on the left wing and rather than driving the ball back into the Thorne forwards he saw space out to the right and delivered a long pass of 20yds to the free backs. Peter Ferguson who found himself in the centres used his speed to out pace the Thorne defence and score under the posts with Ollie Martin converting again. With half time approaching Thorne started to pressurize the I’s line. A series of scrums followed, with I’s just managing to hold out with the whistle going and the line still not breached.
The second half started strongly for I’s and within 2 minutes had scored another try. Good ruck ball set up by the ever improving Jo Barber released Jack Johnson on another break with Peter Ferguson on hand claim his second try and give 19-0 lead. Little did I’s realize how important it was going to be that they had 2 tries under the posts.
A series of injuries to Thorne then saw uncontested scrums become a part of the game which seemed to have a negative impact on I’s. It was from a scrum that the Thorne scrum half picked up the ball and race to the corner for what was a deserved score. Thorne continued to come back into the game and after I’s were penalized several times for not retiring, Thorne eventually scored their 2nd try. With about 6 minutes left I’s supporters were surely thinking they were not going to throw this one away. The tension got even worse when with 1 minute remaining Thorne scored their 3rd try after sustained pressure on the I’s line. This made the score 19-17 and I’s hanging on for victory. From the kick off Thorne’s centre who had been their best player all day set off on another run. It took 3 players to stop him and when the Thorne number 8 knocked the ball on, it was all over and I’s could breathe a sigh of relief, probably the supporters more than the players who had very few nails left.
Sunday, 9 November 2008
Goole (U14) vs Hull Ionians (U14) Sunday 9th November
Goole (U14) vs Hull Ionians (U14) Sunday 9th November
Despite a penetrating, chill-to-your-bones, gale blowing across the pitch and making playing conditions far from ideal, the visitors served up a fine lesson in how to ignore the elements and just get on with game, running out comfortable winners by 20 points to 5.
Once again I’s took to the pitch with a much smaller pack than their opponents, and in the early exchanges realised that this was a day to face up and show commitment from first whistle to last.
No player encapsulated that approach more than prop James Heap who was in the thick of things throughout, making some fearsome tackles and penetrating drives, continually getting his team going forward and on the front foot against a physically superior opposing set of forwards.
I’s opened the scoring after 10 minutes when, from his own 22, Jack Johnson made a superb run almost the entire length of the pitch. As he was brought down just short of the line by a great cover tackle he delivered a one-handed offload inside to James Norton, who cantered in for the remaining 10 yards to touch down in the corner.
Goole replied soon after, when a couple of missed tackles allowed them to make sufficient yardage to attack the I’s line and close out with a try by the corner flag, and leave the match tied 5-5 with halftime approaching.
However I‘s were soon back on the attack and took the lead once more with a well worked try. From a position wide out on the right between the 10 metre and 22 metre lines first Peter Stone and then Ben Willingham each picked up and brought the ball back inside to set up a ruck centre field just to the right of the posts inside the Goole 22 . Quick ball to fly half Tyler Heelas, who initially feinted left and then cut back right, seeing the overlap. Two quick passes were enough for winger Ollie Martin to run in unopposed and touch down wide out.
With only a 5 point lead at half time and turning to face the strong wind, the muttering amongst the visitors supporters was whether 5 points would be sufficient to hold out against the home side.
Playing sensible, possession based, rugby, I’s were, however, soon stretching their lead to 15-5 as their forwards worked a series of good field positions, allowing fly half Tyler Heelas to side-step his way past the Goole defence to touch down for I’s third try.
A bad injury to one of the home players meant that the match was held up for 20 minutes whilst he received on field treatment, but on the restart I’s were soon back on the attack. Picking up from the base of the scrum the I’s captain, Rees Middleton, took off like a scalded cat and having outpaced the initial cover defence handed the ball to centre Jack Johnson who stretched away to score unopposed under the sticks.
Despite a penetrating, chill-to-your-bones, gale blowing across the pitch and making playing conditions far from ideal, the visitors served up a fine lesson in how to ignore the elements and just get on with game, running out comfortable winners by 20 points to 5.
Once again I’s took to the pitch with a much smaller pack than their opponents, and in the early exchanges realised that this was a day to face up and show commitment from first whistle to last.
No player encapsulated that approach more than prop James Heap who was in the thick of things throughout, making some fearsome tackles and penetrating drives, continually getting his team going forward and on the front foot against a physically superior opposing set of forwards.
I’s opened the scoring after 10 minutes when, from his own 22, Jack Johnson made a superb run almost the entire length of the pitch. As he was brought down just short of the line by a great cover tackle he delivered a one-handed offload inside to James Norton, who cantered in for the remaining 10 yards to touch down in the corner.
Goole replied soon after, when a couple of missed tackles allowed them to make sufficient yardage to attack the I’s line and close out with a try by the corner flag, and leave the match tied 5-5 with halftime approaching.
However I‘s were soon back on the attack and took the lead once more with a well worked try. From a position wide out on the right between the 10 metre and 22 metre lines first Peter Stone and then Ben Willingham each picked up and brought the ball back inside to set up a ruck centre field just to the right of the posts inside the Goole 22 . Quick ball to fly half Tyler Heelas, who initially feinted left and then cut back right, seeing the overlap. Two quick passes were enough for winger Ollie Martin to run in unopposed and touch down wide out.
With only a 5 point lead at half time and turning to face the strong wind, the muttering amongst the visitors supporters was whether 5 points would be sufficient to hold out against the home side.
Playing sensible, possession based, rugby, I’s were, however, soon stretching their lead to 15-5 as their forwards worked a series of good field positions, allowing fly half Tyler Heelas to side-step his way past the Goole defence to touch down for I’s third try.
A bad injury to one of the home players meant that the match was held up for 20 minutes whilst he received on field treatment, but on the restart I’s were soon back on the attack. Picking up from the base of the scrum the I’s captain, Rees Middleton, took off like a scalded cat and having outpaced the initial cover defence handed the ball to centre Jack Johnson who stretched away to score unopposed under the sticks.
Sunday, 2 November 2008
Hull Ionians (U14) vs Malton and Norton (U14) Sunday 2nd November
Hull Ionians (U14) vs Malton and Norton (U14) Sunday 2nd November
With both sides missing regular first choice players, who were attending East Yorkshire selection trials, this game provided an opportunity for squad members to show what they can do. And on a miserable wet and windy day they put on a feast of rugby for their parents and supporters who had braved the elements.
Given the first team pitch at Brantingham these two sides went at it hammer and tongs from the first whistle to the last, ignoring the dreadful conditions, and serving up 11 tries with I’s eventually running out clear winners by 42-24.
On top in the early exchanges, aided by 3 I’s players on loan for the day, Malton moved into what appeared to be comfortable 10-0 lead. This simply increased the determination of the home side, and with centre Jake Claughton, on his first appearance in an I’s jersey, making some crunching tackles and showing strength and pace on the counter-attack, I’s were soon back on level terms after two solo efforts from fly-half Tyler Heelas. His second try was converted by scrum half Matt Humphreys, and I’s edged into the lead at 12-10.
Back came Malton to lead 17-12 at the break after Jack ( “Stanny”) Stansfield, one of the on loan players, scored a fine try carving his way through the home side’s defence.
In the second half, with the strong wind at I’s backs Matt Humphreys consistently put the visitors on the back foot with some telling box kicks, and I’s soon moved into a 24-17 lead as first Ollie Norton and then his twin James scored tries for the home side.
Once again Malton forced their way back in to the reckoning with another try to level the scores at 24-24. With only 10 minutes to go, I’s now upped the pace and first Ollie Norton, then Jake Claughton , and finally Sammy Clough crossed the Malton line to see the home side move past 40 points.
The lengthy applause given to both sides at the final whistle was more than well deserved
With both sides missing regular first choice players, who were attending East Yorkshire selection trials, this game provided an opportunity for squad members to show what they can do. And on a miserable wet and windy day they put on a feast of rugby for their parents and supporters who had braved the elements.
Given the first team pitch at Brantingham these two sides went at it hammer and tongs from the first whistle to the last, ignoring the dreadful conditions, and serving up 11 tries with I’s eventually running out clear winners by 42-24.
On top in the early exchanges, aided by 3 I’s players on loan for the day, Malton moved into what appeared to be comfortable 10-0 lead. This simply increased the determination of the home side, and with centre Jake Claughton, on his first appearance in an I’s jersey, making some crunching tackles and showing strength and pace on the counter-attack, I’s were soon back on level terms after two solo efforts from fly-half Tyler Heelas. His second try was converted by scrum half Matt Humphreys, and I’s edged into the lead at 12-10.
Back came Malton to lead 17-12 at the break after Jack ( “Stanny”) Stansfield, one of the on loan players, scored a fine try carving his way through the home side’s defence.
In the second half, with the strong wind at I’s backs Matt Humphreys consistently put the visitors on the back foot with some telling box kicks, and I’s soon moved into a 24-17 lead as first Ollie Norton and then his twin James scored tries for the home side.
Once again Malton forced their way back in to the reckoning with another try to level the scores at 24-24. With only 10 minutes to go, I’s now upped the pace and first Ollie Norton, then Jake Claughton , and finally Sammy Clough crossed the Malton line to see the home side move past 40 points.
The lengthy applause given to both sides at the final whistle was more than well deserved
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