Yorkshire Cup Round 2

Following on from a minutes silence, Ionians hosted Yarnbury in the second round of the Yorkshire Cup, on a blustery day. Conditions underfoot were soft, however, the spectators watched some good rugby as 13 tries were scored.

The game was only 2 minutes old, when Ionians pressed forward and a break from Will Robinson, and a slipped pass to Marshall enabled him to power forward, as he was tackled the ball came to Ionians captain who ran in to score. 5 to 0.

From the restart, the ball was dropped and advantage of the lineout was given to Yarnbury on the Ionians 22. However the Ionians forwards competed well, and were able to win the ball back and a punt upfield from Charlie Kirk relieved Ionians of any danger. The subsequent advance upfield, saw Ionians put Yarnbury's defence under tremendous pressure and it wasn't long before the second try was scored, again by James Malcolmson. A scrambled try from a few yards out. 10 to 0.

To their credit Yarnbury stuck at it, however, Ionians were winning lineout ball and at the set pieces, and the backs were trying various moves to break through. Try 3 came from a lineout on the visitors 22, Marshall leapt highest and simply ran through to the line. Another break through the centre saw Marshall run 50 yards, only to be caught yards short of the line, by a fantastic tackle from Yarnbury's centre Alfie.

A set play from the scrum on the visitors 22, saw Charlie Kirk, reverse pass to Brad who ran down the blindside to score in the corner. This time the conversion was made by Kirk. 22 to 0.

Ionians were rampant now, and good hands from Adam to Marshall to Will Robinson, saw the big prop drop over the line for try number 5. With Charlie Kirk now finding his kicking boots, 29 to 0.

Switching the ball from side to side, in difficult conditions, for the main part both forwards and backs alike looked good with ball in hand. Brad Clarkson made a break that ultimately saw Archie Smeaton break through some last ditch tackles to breach the try line. 36 to 0, Conversion made.

Half time beckoned, but as the second half restarted their was no respite for the visitors as Ionians scored within a minute of the restart. With some changes in personnel made, Toms Vickops popped up in the centre area and accelerated through some tackles to score under the posts. 43 to 0.

Perhaps the try of the game came 10 minutes into the second half, when from a lineout on Ionians own 22, firstly Marshall collected and took the ball on, passing to Brad, who was playing like man of the match, Brad passed onto Archie at the halfway line, who slipped across to Toms, the final pass being to Brad who had carried on in support, great try. 48 to 0.

As Ionians attacked again, Toms burst through at some broken play, kicked forward and as the ball bounced awkwardly over the line for Toms, Brad was there behind to drop on the ball and claim the try. Charlie slotted again, with score now 55 to 0.

With great credit to Yarnbury, in the spirit that the game was played, as the game moved into the last 15 minutes, Yarnbury pressed forward and created an opening that Callum Roche was able to get over the gain line and register the visitors first points. 55 to 5

From the restart, Ionians recycled and as the ball came from the solid forwards, Brad again made the break through, this time with Adam Myers on his shoulder to receive the final inside pass, to cross the line. Charlie Kirk made his 6th conversion. As the game neared its end, Billy Tindall was able to score Ionians 11th try of the match, however the final points went to the Visitors. As Ionians were penalised for offside following a kick through, Yarnbury forwards pressed on, and Callum Roche was able to score his and Yarnbury's second try. 67 to 10 final score

An excellent game, with many strong individual performances on show. The forwards were strong at both set plays and at the break down. The halfbacks had time to show a variety of different plays, and the strength and speed of the Backs finished off numerous creative moves

Try Scorers
James Malcolmson 2, Marshall Holgate, Brad Clarkson 3, Archie Smeaton, Will Robinson, Toms Vickops, Adam Myers, Billy Tindall

Conversions
Charlie Kirk 6

Man of Match
Brad Clarkson

Squad
Will Robinson, Harvey Kay Gibson, Matty DerTavitian, Marshall Holgate, Archie Smeaton, Will Plater, Toms Vickops, James malcolmson, Ollie Painter, Charlie Kirk, Brad Clarkson, Danny Couch, Tom Scrutton, Josh Hunt, Adam Myers, Joe Nellist, Billy Tindall, Benn Wilson, Ted Timmins, Sam Blyth, Elliot Norris