Driffield (U14) vs Hull Ionians (U14) Sunday 26th October
Despite a plucky effort from the visitors, the superior forward play of the home side enabled them to come out on top with a winning score of 36-5.
Once again the I’s forwards found themselves up against a bigger and more physical pack, which denied them possession and meant that their pacy backs had little opportunity to show what they can do.
In this age group one or two more physically mature players can have a disproportionate effect on the outcome of a game. This certainly proved to be the case on this occasion as the home side were, more often that not, able to dominate in the loose with a stand out performance coming from their number 8.
That said, the smaller I’s players never let their heads drop and, encouraged by another inspirational effort from captain Rees Middleton, I’s scored the last try of the match, as they battled all the way to the final whistle.
The sight of I’s scrum half Matt Humphreys, hanging on for all his life to a rampaging opposition forward at least a foot taller and several stones heavier than himself, encapsulated the true spirit which permeates this team.
Sunday, 26 October 2008
Monday, 20 October 2008
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.
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.
Monday, 13 October 2008
Beverley (U14) vs Hull Ionians (U14) Sunday 12th October
Beverley (U14) vs Hull Ionians (U14) Sunday 12th October
A never-say-die attitude from Ionians saw them come back from 10-nil down and run out 17-10 winners, with three classic wingers tries.
The bigger Beverley pack initially outfought the lighter I’s forwards, and set up numerous good field positions for their backs. That said, a taste of what was to come later occurred when, with the score still nil-nil, I’s counterattacked from deep, and explosive pace from centre Jack Johnson saw him burst down the left wing from his own 22, only to be bundled into touch inches from the Beverley line.
Beverley’s constant forward pressure saw them create two successive overlaps in I’s 22 and centre Brandon Faulkner crossing the I’s line each time to take his team into a 10-nil lead.
This only increased I’s resolve, and with captain Rees Middleton showing his pack the way with tackle after tackle dumping Beverley’s bigger forwards on their backsides, the tide began to turn swing slowly but surely in I’s favour.
Quick release ball in their own half set James Norton off on a steaming run down the right, touching down in the corner for the first of his two tries, and I’s firmly back in the match at half time.
Initial pressure in the second half saw I’s camped on the Beverley line with only dogged defence keeping them out. Then a moment of pure class from tighthead Ryan Courtney, whose quick offload at halfway set James Norton off once more with the line at his mercy, and the match tied at 10-10.
As the match wore on I’s felt the benefit of their Thursday night training sessions, and they could sense that the Beverley pack was now beginning to tire.
If there was a try of the season award then I’s match winning effort would already be inked in. From a defensive position close to their own line by the right touchflag, the ball was swung left and into the hands of Alex Wilkinson. A quick look up and “goodbye” as he scorched down the left wing for fully 80 yards to touch down under the posts with the whole Beverley team (and the ref!) trailing in his wake. A straight forward conversion and the comeback was complete.
A never-say-die attitude from Ionians saw them come back from 10-nil down and run out 17-10 winners, with three classic wingers tries.
The bigger Beverley pack initially outfought the lighter I’s forwards, and set up numerous good field positions for their backs. That said, a taste of what was to come later occurred when, with the score still nil-nil, I’s counterattacked from deep, and explosive pace from centre Jack Johnson saw him burst down the left wing from his own 22, only to be bundled into touch inches from the Beverley line.
Beverley’s constant forward pressure saw them create two successive overlaps in I’s 22 and centre Brandon Faulkner crossing the I’s line each time to take his team into a 10-nil lead.
This only increased I’s resolve, and with captain Rees Middleton showing his pack the way with tackle after tackle dumping Beverley’s bigger forwards on their backsides, the tide began to turn swing slowly but surely in I’s favour.
Quick release ball in their own half set James Norton off on a steaming run down the right, touching down in the corner for the first of his two tries, and I’s firmly back in the match at half time.
Initial pressure in the second half saw I’s camped on the Beverley line with only dogged defence keeping them out. Then a moment of pure class from tighthead Ryan Courtney, whose quick offload at halfway set James Norton off once more with the line at his mercy, and the match tied at 10-10.
As the match wore on I’s felt the benefit of their Thursday night training sessions, and they could sense that the Beverley pack was now beginning to tire.
If there was a try of the season award then I’s match winning effort would already be inked in. From a defensive position close to their own line by the right touchflag, the ball was swung left and into the hands of Alex Wilkinson. A quick look up and “goodbye” as he scorched down the left wing for fully 80 yards to touch down under the posts with the whole Beverley team (and the ref!) trailing in his wake. A straight forward conversion and the comeback was complete.
Monday, 6 October 2008
Match report U14 v Keighley 5th October 2008
Hull Ionians (U14) vs Keighley (U14) Sunday 5th October
The saying goes that rugby and soccer are both games played with the head; soccer with the outside of the head and rugby with the inside.
That is a lesson which Ionians learned harshly today as they crashed 5-60 to Keighley in the first round of the Yorkshire Cup at Brantingham Park.
For the first 20 minutes this was a match which could have gone either way, but thereafter Ionians switched off, missed too many tackles, and as a consequence paid a very severe penalty as they allowed Keighley to run away with a match which should have been far more closely contested .
Even though they were without some first choice players, those who are selected still owe it to their coaches and their club to switch on from the first whistle, and stay switched on for the whole game.
On the positive side,the season is only just under way. There is plenty of time to turn things around, and this team has an abundance of talent in both forwards and backs. However talent without cool heads will not win matches, so they need to tackle, deny the opposition the ball, get on the front foot, and begin to take the right options in attack.
There is no bigger incentive than the next match against local rivals Beverley, so heads up and “lights on”.
The saying goes that rugby and soccer are both games played with the head; soccer with the outside of the head and rugby with the inside.
That is a lesson which Ionians learned harshly today as they crashed 5-60 to Keighley in the first round of the Yorkshire Cup at Brantingham Park.
For the first 20 minutes this was a match which could have gone either way, but thereafter Ionians switched off, missed too many tackles, and as a consequence paid a very severe penalty as they allowed Keighley to run away with a match which should have been far more closely contested .
Even though they were without some first choice players, those who are selected still owe it to their coaches and their club to switch on from the first whistle, and stay switched on for the whole game.
On the positive side,the season is only just under way. There is plenty of time to turn things around, and this team has an abundance of talent in both forwards and backs. However talent without cool heads will not win matches, so they need to tackle, deny the opposition the ball, get on the front foot, and begin to take the right options in attack.
There is no bigger incentive than the next match against local rivals Beverley, so heads up and “lights on”.
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