Selby host Friendly

Ionians travelled to Selby to play on a cold, blustery day. The home team took the kick off, with the wind in their faces, and once the initial ball was caught and the ball secured, the tempo was set for the first half.

Ionians used the conditions very well, with Full Back, Adam Myers making an initial run with ball in hand, and centres James Malcolmson and Joe Walker already a handful. Good work at the breakdown by the forwards, saw Olly Painter slip a pass to Charlie Kirk, who kicked into the corner to put the full back under pressure, with winger Charlie Cade able to tackle the Full Back and retrieve the possession, the ball was lost in touch but from the 22 lineout, Kirk kicked across field and one bounce into the hands of James Malcolmson, to open the scoring in the left corner. Conversion missed, 5 to 0.
From the restart, Ionians pressed forward with good breaks from forwards, Robinson, Tindall, Gibson. A penalty was given away by Selby in front of the posts, however they decided to run the ball and passing through hands, Joe Walker was able to score the first of his three tries. 10 to 0
Selby restarted but with the ball secured for Ionians, they were soon under pressure on their line. Breaks from Marshall, support and carry from Jack D, and a slipped pass to Malcolmson from the stand off, saw him run in his second and the teams third try. Conversion completed by Charlie Kirk, 17 to 0.
After 15 minutes Ionians were able to grab their fourth try, a great pick up from a scrappy ball, by Charlie Kirk, enabled Ionians to press and run the ball through hands, and as the ball went to Joe Walker, he was able to out run the defensive cover to score in the corner. 22 to 0.
Tackling from both sides was strong, and the commitment from the Selby lads was evident as they gave blood for their cause. However, possession for them was sparse. Some scrummaging in the middle of the park, showed that the contest in that department was relatively even, but with the wind in their faces, Selby struggled to get into the Ionians half.
A lineout on the Selby 22, led to try number 5, with the hooker sniping round the back of his team mates, the ball was moved quickly to the left through hands with Joe Walker ready and able to bag his own hat trick. 27 to 0.
As Ionians pressed again and recycled the ball stayed within the forwards until such time as Marshall was able to pick and go from a few yards to score under the posts. Conversion successful, 34 to 0.
The final play of the half saw Selby wing, Josh Longthorpe an opportunist try. Ionians tried one pass too many, and as the ball fell to the ground, Longthorpe picked up and showed his pace to run in from the half way line. 34 to 5 at Half Time.

The second half, saw Ionians coaches Painter and Kirk, change the team so that all squad members contributed. With the wind behind them, Selby pressed forward , and used a similar kicking game to what Ionians had done in the first half. Danny Couch at Full Back showed some skills when retrieving a punt over the top and then setting off back upfield passing 2 Selby players before being caught. Selby pressed onto the Ionians 22 though with the kicks, but as the wind got stronger some of these carried too much weight. The first try in the second half though went to Selby, at the half way stage. While Ionians were resolute in defence, they were unable to stop Harrison Green, score the second try for Selby, as he picked up, swivelled from a few yards out. 34 to 10.

Ionians ventured into the Selby half, when a Selby attack broke down and the loose ball was fly kicked up field with Harry Cawood chasing. A couple of kicks later, and Selby committed a penalty to stop Cawood from picking up and scoring. From the resultant penalty, the forwards were able to set up good field position and prop James Whitaker was able to score from close range, after support work from Nellist and Norris. 39 to 10.

The final score of the game went the visitors way, with Ionians finally playing in the opponents half, the ball found its way to centre Brad Clarkson, who was able to run in from 25 yards, breaking a couple of tackles along the way. Conversion attempt Will Plater ? missed. Final Score 44 to 10.

A good competitive game played in a good spirit, and well run by the local referee.

Try Scorers
James Malcolmson 2, Joe Walker 3, Marshall Holgate, James Whitaker, Brad Clarkson
Conversion
Charlie Kirk, Adam Myers
Man of Match
Joe Walker