Good Comeback from Ionians

Ionians travelled to Pocklington, after a difficult February, with a reduced squad. Conditions were soft underfoot, but a bright calm day promised the opportunity of good rugby.

From the kick off Ionians pressed forwards, working the ball through the pack, James Malcolmson's initial burst followed by an effort by Joe Walker saw the centre held up on the line, and from the resultant scrum, Pocklington were able to clear their lines.

Pocklington were determined in the tackle and were winning ball at the scrum, the lineouts being more even. It was from a lineout that Pocklington won the ball, shifted it to the inside centre, who broke 2 tackles before stepping inside the full back to score the first try of the match, converted, 7 to 0 to Pocklington.

From the restart, Danny Betts, James Whitaker, Will Robinson all made inroads around the pack. Kicks over the top by Charlie Kirk, while putting Pocklington on the back foot didn't really give Ionians the position that they could capitalise on.

Pocklington went further ahead after 20 minutes when a kick through, was gathered by Ionians defence, but the ball was spilled in the chase up challenge, enabling Pocklington to gather and score towards the corner, again try converted 14 to 0.

From the restart Ionians pressed and got good position in Pocklingtons 22, from the resultant pressure, the forwards started to pick and go to get nearer to the line, and having gone through phases eventually James Malcolmson dived over from a few yards.
14 to 5.
From the kickoff, Ionians regathered, and quickly had an overlap, at the halfway line, when Joe Walker received the ball he ran down the line cutting inside to beat Pocklingtons defence and score in the corner. 14 to 10 as conversion missed, half time score.

The second half, saw a few changes, scrums wise Ionians started to make some progress, and territory wise Ionians tried to gain the initiative. Pocklington backs kicked over the top and put pressure on Ionians wings and Full back, but all three responded well with some great takes and counter runs. The try of the day was scored early in the half, as the ball came free from open play, some good work from Archie, James Malcolmson picked up, and ran, a pass to Charlie Cade, who drew the last defender before passing to Luke Waudby on the wing, who steamed in to score the try near to the posts, conversion made by Charlie Kirk, 14 to 17 to Ionians.

Some indiscipline from Pocklington cost them decent field position, and with tackles being made, limited progress was made by both teams. Though Ionians did have the chance to extend their lead but the penalty kick drifted past the upright.
A nasty injury to a Pocklington centre, delayed the game, and we wish him well.

The last 5 minutes saw the ball shifted between both sets of backs, without any real threat to either teams try line.

Final Score 14 to 17, and Ionians returned to winning ways.

Try Scorers
James Malcolmson, Joe Walker, Luke Waudby
Conversion
Charlie Kirk
Man of Match
Luke Waudby