Hull Ionians (U14) vs. Hull (U14) Sunday 25th January 2009
With I’s storming into an early 5-0 lead, inside the first minute, with a well taken try in the right hand corner by Luke Johnson, smiles came back perhaps a little too soon to the faces of their loyal pitch side supporters. After a series of disappointing results over recent weeks was the monkey off the back at last?
The remainder of the first half showed that there is still work to be done, as the visitors, their team recently strengthened by a number of rugby league converts hardened in the physicality of that code, worked out very quickly that direct running and purposeful, but fair,aggression would, could, and did expose I’s current weakness..if you don’t make tackles the opposition will run through you at will.
And this is exactly what the boys from the other side of town did, on several occasions, meaning that by half time the game was effectively over as a contest. By then Hull, with nearly all of their tries converted by some of the best place kicking you could ever expect to see from any team in this age group, were out of sight.
Come the second half, I’s woke up, but too little and too late. Although the second period was more closely fought with the home side running in two more finely worked tries from Stanny and Luke Johnson, this team has to realise that to win matches you go at it from the very first blow of the ref’s whistle and not wait until the other side have taken their foot off the accelerator.
The pack has to get more physical, and from one to fifteen they have to let their opponents know that from now on they all fully subscribe to, and believe in, the famous phrase first coined and used during the Battle of Verdun in World War I by French General Robert Nivelle.
When you read this report, boys, Google it..learn it..and then abide by it !
Monday, 26 January 2009
Sunday, 18 January 2009
Hull Ionians (U14) vs Sandal (U14) Sunday 18th January 2009
Hull Ionians (U14) vs Sandal (U14) Sunday 18th January 2009
With the expected Yorkshire Plate quarter final not taking place as scheduled after I’s opponents conceded the tie, Sandal stepped in at short notice to play at Brantingham on a chill, blustery, day .
Despite an initial strong start from the home side, the visitors soon found their stride with their pack dominating in the loose and the tight to grab hold of the game by the scruff of the neck and give their backs a steady stream of good quality ball.
One of I’s difficulties this season has been their inability to make the critical first tackle, allowing opponents the opportunity consistently to get across the gain line and make good yardage, resulting in I’s finding themselves on the back foot and fighting rearguard actions. Today was no exception and I’s simply have to be more aggressive in the tackle, and start contesting more vigorously at the breakdown or they will continue to find themselves swamped, as they were in the first half of this match.
By the time the sartorially elegant Stuart Towns (clad this week in delightful cerise and white instead of his trademark Chanel canary yellow) blew the whistle for the break Sandal had the game wrapped up with a lead of 27-0, having run in 5 tries.
The muttering from the touchlines amongst I’s dedicated camp followers was about just how big a cricket score Sandal might run up in the second half. But if there is one quality which I’s do have in abundance it is guts, and in the second half they upped the pace, never let their heads drop, and continued to battle right to the end against what must be acknowledged as a well drilled and physically superior outfit.
It was only in the final 5 minutes when I’s were out on their feet that Sandal stretched their lead with another 3 tries to close out the game with a flourish.
With the expected Yorkshire Plate quarter final not taking place as scheduled after I’s opponents conceded the tie, Sandal stepped in at short notice to play at Brantingham on a chill, blustery, day .
Despite an initial strong start from the home side, the visitors soon found their stride with their pack dominating in the loose and the tight to grab hold of the game by the scruff of the neck and give their backs a steady stream of good quality ball.
One of I’s difficulties this season has been their inability to make the critical first tackle, allowing opponents the opportunity consistently to get across the gain line and make good yardage, resulting in I’s finding themselves on the back foot and fighting rearguard actions. Today was no exception and I’s simply have to be more aggressive in the tackle, and start contesting more vigorously at the breakdown or they will continue to find themselves swamped, as they were in the first half of this match.
By the time the sartorially elegant Stuart Towns (clad this week in delightful cerise and white instead of his trademark Chanel canary yellow) blew the whistle for the break Sandal had the game wrapped up with a lead of 27-0, having run in 5 tries.
The muttering from the touchlines amongst I’s dedicated camp followers was about just how big a cricket score Sandal might run up in the second half. But if there is one quality which I’s do have in abundance it is guts, and in the second half they upped the pace, never let their heads drop, and continued to battle right to the end against what must be acknowledged as a well drilled and physically superior outfit.
It was only in the final 5 minutes when I’s were out on their feet that Sandal stretched their lead with another 3 tries to close out the game with a flourish.
Monday, 12 January 2009
Hull Ionians (U14) vs Driffield (U14) Sunday 11th January 2009
Hull Ionians (U14) vs Driffield (U14) Sunday 11th January 2009
Driffield set their stall out from the first.
Quicker to the breakdown, more aggressive in their tackling, solid in the set piece, and better decision making with the ball in hand.
All of the above led to a comfortable 26-0 victory for the visitors at Brantingham Park, with the Ionians looking ring rusty from the start and not really getting out of first gear in this first match after the Christmas break.
One or two of the I’s players showed glimpses of what they can do, but this is a team game and individuals need to blend as one to deliver a positive result. They know they can do it, they have done it earlier in the season, and the next match in the Yorkshire Plate quarter final against Scarborough, in front of a home crowd, gives them the opportunity to get things back on track.
For the first time since the opening game of the season I’s will have both of their speedsters available for selection, with Luke Johnson now back after a long lay-off since suffering a broken collar bone in the opening game of the season. Having Alex Wilkinson on the other wing gives the I’s real attacking options on both sides of the field.
So everything is set up for the I’s to play to their strengths and put smiles back on faces. The pack has to front up, intimidate their opponents, give quick clean ball to their backs, and let their three quarter line loose to do the rest.
Driffield set their stall out from the first.
Quicker to the breakdown, more aggressive in their tackling, solid in the set piece, and better decision making with the ball in hand.
All of the above led to a comfortable 26-0 victory for the visitors at Brantingham Park, with the Ionians looking ring rusty from the start and not really getting out of first gear in this first match after the Christmas break.
One or two of the I’s players showed glimpses of what they can do, but this is a team game and individuals need to blend as one to deliver a positive result. They know they can do it, they have done it earlier in the season, and the next match in the Yorkshire Plate quarter final against Scarborough, in front of a home crowd, gives them the opportunity to get things back on track.
For the first time since the opening game of the season I’s will have both of their speedsters available for selection, with Luke Johnson now back after a long lay-off since suffering a broken collar bone in the opening game of the season. Having Alex Wilkinson on the other wing gives the I’s real attacking options on both sides of the field.
So everything is set up for the I’s to play to their strengths and put smiles back on faces. The pack has to front up, intimidate their opponents, give quick clean ball to their backs, and let their three quarter line loose to do the rest.
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