Ionians excellent

Ionians travelled to Market Rasen, with a third of the squad missing it was an opportunity for some good game time for the remaining players and an opportunity to avenge a pre Christmas defeat by the hosts. Weather was good, and conducive to good running rugby.

From the kick off, Rasen held possession and while the 20, gave indications as a potent attacking force, with pace and stepping off both feet, initially no pressure on Ionians try line.

Ionians made progress into their opponents half and after 5 minutes had a scrum on the 5 metre line, from which Number 8, Marshall Holgate chose to pick and go and crashed over the line. 5 to 0

Enterprising play from both teams led to good entertainment from the appreciative crowd. A good break from the Ionian centres gave them good field position at the next set piece. The following move and try was fantastic, as quick ball from the scrum half, and through stand offs hands, the dummy runner of Cadey, and then the pass interchange between James Malcolmson and Adam Myers, joining in from full back, was terrific to see and cut Rasen's defence in two, with Malcolmson scoring.
14 to 0 with conversion from Myers.

From the restart Market Rasen were penalised for being offside, and a quick penalty for Ionians saw them run the ball in from the centre of the pitch, with Myers and Malcolmson, working together again to enable Malcolmson to score his second try. 19 to 0, Myers converted.

A good pass from Cadey gave sam Blyth the opportunity to score but he was just bundled into touch short of the line.

Rasen tried to raise their game, but the next score came again from pressure on the rasen line. A lineout on the 5 metre line was won by Will Robinson, who simply gathered and dived over 24 to 0.

Consolation try for Rasen, as 20 ran through at pace stepping right and left to score, half time 24 to 5 in favour of the visitors.

From the restart, any hopes of a recovery from Rasen were quickly dispelled, as Ionians scored early in the second half, with another set move from a scrum in a good field position. Kirk kicked across field, James malcolmson was there to catch and score his third try. Conversion made 31 to 5

The Ionian forwards were now dominating, with good work seen from all forwards, good at the breakdown, counter rucking, strong tackles were in evidence throughout the game, Plater and Norris were effective as flankers, Hunt did well at hooker, and the interchangeable props all contributed, supported by the hard working second rowers of Denley and Danny Betts

Ionians sixth try came from good work at the breakdown, the ball then being fed through hands and Billy Tindall popping up near the left wing to cross the line. 38 to 5.

Rasen responded and again another maizy run by 20, enabled him to score under the posts
A cheeky grubber kick from a 22 drop out, almost led to another Ionians try as first malcolmson, and then Locomotive Luke set off down the wing, only to be caught by the desperate covering defence. However try 7 was not long in coming as given the superioty Full Back Myers gained confidence to join the attacking line and crossed over for the next 2 tries. 50 to 12

With credit to Rasen who never gave up, but as they progressed into Ionians 22, a breakdown error, enabled the ball to go to the wing, and Locomotive Luke, sprinted down the line, stood up the last defender before steaming in and scoring under the post.
57 to 12.
Given the platform that the forwards had given to enable the backs to show their paces, it was fitting that the final try was scored by Will Plater, found at the bottom of the pile when everyone was able to get up off the floor.

The last minute double tackle by Jack Denley, really showed the commitment that the Ionian boys had given to the cause, some really good rugby on show, warmly greeted by the crowd

Final Score 64 to 12

Try Scorers
James Malcomson 3, Adam Myers 2, Marshall Holgate, Will Robinson, Will Tindall, Luke Waudby, Will Plater
Conversions
Adam Myers 6, Charlie Kirk
Man Of Match
James Malcolmson