Away Day

Ionians travelled across to Wharfedale in numbers, to play on a calm day, on a pitch with heavy underfoot conditions.

From the kick off Ionians attacked down the middle through Betts, however, they were met with good resistance from the home defence. Joe Walker made an early break, and as Ionians progressed it was only the dodgy last passed that stifled them.

Wharfedale with ball in hand showed speed and skills down their line and Ionians only stopped their attack through giving a penalty away. Wharefdale attacked again, but the winger was bundled into touch just short of the line with a robust challenge from Myers.
However, the Lineout was won back by Wharfedale and passed quickly through hands to enable Owen Bullock to show his pace and score in the opposite corner. Conversion made 7 to 0.

Ionians responded with a solid attack down the middle, the forwards winning good ball at the breakdown, and also turning ball over if the home side gained possession. Tindall, Robinson and Gibson worked well at the scrum, and it was from a set play, that Ionians showed what they could do with ball in hand. The ball moved down the line, and Walker at Outside Centre skipped pass a couple of defenders, only to be hauled down by the full back. However, from the resultant recycle, Marshall was able to pick the ball up and dive through the defence to score the visitors first try. 7 to 5.

The teams were well matched, though as the game progressed and switches were made by the coaches, the pack started to get on top and starve Wharfedale of the ball. A set piece for Ionians, saw Painter feed the ball to Kirk, to inside centre Malcolmson, who slipped a lovely pass to full back Myers as he joined the line, and he burst through the defence to score in the right hand corner and enable Ionians to take the lead. 7 to 10.

Wharfedale pressed towards the end of the half, but good tackling and defensive kicking kept them at bay.

With people coming back from injuries, there were some good individuals contributions, Jon Dearing carried well, as did Archie Smeaton, Will Plater did a lot of the dirty work, with support from the front row. Elliot was busy, Joe Nellist showed good hands, Harvey created turnover balls. Jack Denley and Marshall got stuck in with the tackle count.

Second half saw Ionians continue in the forwards domination and giving good ball to the backs. Some fluent attacks however, again fell down with that final pass. Ionians third try came from open play, a good break, was brought to a halt with a robust challenge, as the ball came free, Benn Wilson collected and secured possession, the resulting pass down the line enabled Myers to join the attack again and score his second try after linking well with Malcolmson. Conversion made 7 to 17.

Wharefdale had little possession, however, the pacy full back did cause problems with his mazey runs. However, another break from Myers, saw Ionians press the Wharfedale line. With a mass of players around the ball, hooker Harvey was able to pick up and dive over the line for his first try of the season. 7 to 22.

More changes ensued, and as Malcolmson switched to number 8, he was able to pick and run down the right wing to score Ionians 5th try, running half the pitch. 7 to 27.

Final score of the game came to the home side, with Harry Lewis showing both pace and strength to break tackles and score under the posts. 14 to 27

Good contest played in good spirit, and flowing through sound refereeing.

Try Scorers
Marshall Holgate, Adam Myers 2, Harvey Kay-Gibson, James Malcolmson
Conversion
Charlie Kirk
Man Of Match
Harvey Kay-Gibson