Hull Ionians (U14) vs Corinthians(U14) Sunday 29thMarch 2009
Only 3 weeks to go before the end of season tour to Blackpool where unknown and untested opposition will be lying in wait for us. A bit like today when Corinthians, whom we have never played before, made the trip over to Brantingham, and as the immaculate Mr Towns blew the whistle to start the game, we wondered what we would be facing.
The answer came in the first couple of minutes, when the singular problem which has let us down over the last few matches once again all too readily re-appeared. Granted the opposition were well organised and ran some very good lines, but they can’t run anywhere without their legs, and if only we would tackle we would have turned some of the recent heavy defeats into far more closely fought contests.
Today proved the point once more. We let them run repeatedly at, and straight through, us and they did not need asking twice..rattling up a match winning score by half time..6 unanswered tries..all of which could and should have been stopped by some rugged and forceful tackling.
The second half proves it..one crisp and well worked converted try from us and not a point in answer from them. Why..because we woke up and started contesting like we should have done from the very start.
Next time out, let’s have some purposeful and determined defence right from the off. Stop the opposition from playing and we can start showing what we are capable of.
Sunday, 29 March 2009
Monday, 9 March 2009
Roundhegians (U14) vs Hull Ionians (U14) Sunday 8th March 2009
Roundhegians (U14) vs Hull Ionians (U14) Sunday 8th March 2009
The semi-final of the Yorkshire Plate competition saw I’s travelling to Roundhay for what turned out to be a highly competitive, and close fought, encounter with the hosts. Both sides played the game in great spirit in front of their vociferous and loyal supporters.
It was one of those games which probably could have gone either way. Both teams were a credit to their respective clubs, and the game of rugby itself was also a winner.
Right from the outset I’s no.8, Peter Ferguson, made it clear that today was a day when he was going to show what he was made of, returning the kick-off with a determined run straight back up the middle. The hosts also let it be known that they meant business with some hard hitting tackles and strong breaks from their two centres, both of whom had an outstanding game for the home team. In the early exchanges up front there was little between the two packs, with I’s perhaps just edging things in the set scrum.
10 minutes in and Roundhegians took the lead with a converted try to lead 7-0, but for the next 15 minutes or so I’s pinned them back in their own half with a huge effort from the pack in the tight and the loose.
From a heel against the head on the 22 metre line out left Peter Ferguson picked up from the base of the scrum and broke down the blind side beating 3 defenders to bring I’s back in to the game at 7-5. As the game approached half time and with I’s again camped deep in the home team’s 22, a sudden and devastating break saw Roundhegians going the length of the pitch to snatch a 14-5 halftime lead.
The first score of the second half was going to be very important in determining the outcome of this match, and once again I’s took up good field position close to the right touch deep in the home team’s half. A score now and I’s would be right back in it, but once again Roundhegians found a way through to score the try of the match as they worked the ball from close to the touchline, back inside, and another storming run to move out to what looked at that stage to be an unassailable lead of 19-5. I’s were having none of it and back they marched in to the opponent’s 22 where quick ball from a solid scrum was fed out quickly and neatly for centre Jack Johnson to fly over in the left hand corner. 19-10 and still plenty of time left.
Now it was Roundhegians who applied the pressure on the visitors forcing them back down the pitch into a line-out right on their own line. A stolen ball and the home side moved out to a 24-10 lead with only 10 minutes to go.
Back came I’s with Peter Ferguson once again crashing over to claw the score back to 24-15. If the try could be converted then I’s were back within one converted try and still 7 or 8 minutes on the clock, but the kick agonisingly dipped under the bar.
For the last few minutes both teams went at it hammer and tongs, but the home team were still out in front as the ref blew the final whistle. 4 tries to 3, a great effort by both sides, and some marvellous hospitality in the clubhouse afterwards from our hosts.
I’s wish Roundhegians all the best in the final.
The semi-final of the Yorkshire Plate competition saw I’s travelling to Roundhay for what turned out to be a highly competitive, and close fought, encounter with the hosts. Both sides played the game in great spirit in front of their vociferous and loyal supporters.
It was one of those games which probably could have gone either way. Both teams were a credit to their respective clubs, and the game of rugby itself was also a winner.
Right from the outset I’s no.8, Peter Ferguson, made it clear that today was a day when he was going to show what he was made of, returning the kick-off with a determined run straight back up the middle. The hosts also let it be known that they meant business with some hard hitting tackles and strong breaks from their two centres, both of whom had an outstanding game for the home team. In the early exchanges up front there was little between the two packs, with I’s perhaps just edging things in the set scrum.
10 minutes in and Roundhegians took the lead with a converted try to lead 7-0, but for the next 15 minutes or so I’s pinned them back in their own half with a huge effort from the pack in the tight and the loose.
From a heel against the head on the 22 metre line out left Peter Ferguson picked up from the base of the scrum and broke down the blind side beating 3 defenders to bring I’s back in to the game at 7-5. As the game approached half time and with I’s again camped deep in the home team’s 22, a sudden and devastating break saw Roundhegians going the length of the pitch to snatch a 14-5 halftime lead.
The first score of the second half was going to be very important in determining the outcome of this match, and once again I’s took up good field position close to the right touch deep in the home team’s half. A score now and I’s would be right back in it, but once again Roundhegians found a way through to score the try of the match as they worked the ball from close to the touchline, back inside, and another storming run to move out to what looked at that stage to be an unassailable lead of 19-5. I’s were having none of it and back they marched in to the opponent’s 22 where quick ball from a solid scrum was fed out quickly and neatly for centre Jack Johnson to fly over in the left hand corner. 19-10 and still plenty of time left.
Now it was Roundhegians who applied the pressure on the visitors forcing them back down the pitch into a line-out right on their own line. A stolen ball and the home side moved out to a 24-10 lead with only 10 minutes to go.
Back came I’s with Peter Ferguson once again crashing over to claw the score back to 24-15. If the try could be converted then I’s were back within one converted try and still 7 or 8 minutes on the clock, but the kick agonisingly dipped under the bar.
For the last few minutes both teams went at it hammer and tongs, but the home team were still out in front as the ref blew the final whistle. 4 tries to 3, a great effort by both sides, and some marvellous hospitality in the clubhouse afterwards from our hosts.
I’s wish Roundhegians all the best in the final.
Monday, 2 March 2009
Hull (U14) vs Hull Ionians (U14) Sunday 1st March 2009
Hull (U14) vs Hull Ionians (U14) Sunday 1st March 2009
Responding to a call from their coaches for an improved performance Ionians U14s responded in style with a return to the quality of rugby they are capable of for much of this game.
Ionians started the game clearly ‘up for it’ with committed controlled forward play putting Hulls dangerous backs on the back foot and with the backs tackling now putting opponents down Hull struggled to make ground when they did have possession.
The first 15 minutes definitely belonged to Ionians, time and again forwards were at the breakdown in numbers to win good quick ruck ball usually resulted in ground being gained with Peter Ferguson at No 8 probably having his most effective game of the season until after 15 minutes Olly Norton went over wide out to put the first points on the board.
The rest of the first half followed the same pattern with Ionians having the majority of possession and restricting Hull to scrappy untidy ball, although a foolish penalty given away just before half time for handling on the ground when there had been a clear ‘hands off’ call from the referee resulted in Hull kicking the resulting penalty to give a half time score of 5 -3.
A pulled muscle meant the Ionians full back Pat Johnson was unable to start the second half. Possibly due to this change to the back line or forwards being unable to keep up the intensity of first half but the second half started with 14 minutes in which Hull upped their performance, Ionians reverted back to the sloppy rugby and missed tackles of recent weeks and Hulls powerful backs were able to run in 5 tries four of which were converted by their excellent number 10 – surely the best under 14s kicker in the county.
The last 10 minutes showed Ionians raising their game again to the level of the first half with Jack Stansfield defending admirably out of position on the wing but without a cutting edge to convert possession into points there was no further scoring resulting in a 34-5 final score in favour of Hull.
Overall this was a much improved performance by Ionians and should give them confidence for their Yorkshire Cup – Plate semi final this coming week end.
Responding to a call from their coaches for an improved performance Ionians U14s responded in style with a return to the quality of rugby they are capable of for much of this game.
Ionians started the game clearly ‘up for it’ with committed controlled forward play putting Hulls dangerous backs on the back foot and with the backs tackling now putting opponents down Hull struggled to make ground when they did have possession.
The first 15 minutes definitely belonged to Ionians, time and again forwards were at the breakdown in numbers to win good quick ruck ball usually resulted in ground being gained with Peter Ferguson at No 8 probably having his most effective game of the season until after 15 minutes Olly Norton went over wide out to put the first points on the board.
The rest of the first half followed the same pattern with Ionians having the majority of possession and restricting Hull to scrappy untidy ball, although a foolish penalty given away just before half time for handling on the ground when there had been a clear ‘hands off’ call from the referee resulted in Hull kicking the resulting penalty to give a half time score of 5 -3.
A pulled muscle meant the Ionians full back Pat Johnson was unable to start the second half. Possibly due to this change to the back line or forwards being unable to keep up the intensity of first half but the second half started with 14 minutes in which Hull upped their performance, Ionians reverted back to the sloppy rugby and missed tackles of recent weeks and Hulls powerful backs were able to run in 5 tries four of which were converted by their excellent number 10 – surely the best under 14s kicker in the county.
The last 10 minutes showed Ionians raising their game again to the level of the first half with Jack Stansfield defending admirably out of position on the wing but without a cutting edge to convert possession into points there was no further scoring resulting in a 34-5 final score in favour of Hull.
Overall this was a much improved performance by Ionians and should give them confidence for their Yorkshire Cup – Plate semi final this coming week end.
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