New Season

Ionians travelled to Malton to start a new season. On an unseasonably warm day the opportunity to play good rugby was available.

From the kick off Ionians moved into Malton's half, the tackles were strong, as both teams tried to play the ball through hands. Contested lineouts, a new feature to the game, saw a well worked move for Ionians, with Walker at outside centre breaching the home defence. As the ball was recycled and played through hands, Archie Smeaton popped up with the ball as Ionians scored their first try after 3 minutes. Conversion successful by Charlie Kirk.

Both teams were guilty of ball dropping, trying to play open rugby, and pressure followed as a result. After 10 minutes a Malton breakdown, saw Ionians regain the advantage and good work between Myers and Walker saw the centre crash over on the left side. Conversion unsuccessful .
A bizarre try from the restart, as the ball from the kick off failed to go into the visitors half, Toms showed excellent awareness as the home were static, to catch the ball and run in from the half way line and score under the posts, conversion by Kirk. 19 to 0 in favour of the visitors.
Ionians forwards were starting to get on top, with good work in scrums by Nellist, Tindall, and Hunt. Jack D and Will P making good yardage and good tackles, and the lineout was solid, with excellent contributions from Smeaton, Vickops and Betts ( though Betts was being penalised at the breakdown).

Fourth try started from the base of this pack and as the ball was swung out wide, Scruton had a run down the right wing, while well tackled by the Malton defence, ultimately through hands the ball came to man of match Walker who scored. Conversion successful 26 to 0.

There were no further scores in the remaining 10 minutes of the half. Malton defended resolutely as Ionians pressured, Evison posed a threat as did Cade and Walker at centre, with Myers coming into the line from full back on occasion. Painter and Kirk, gave good distribution to keep the ball moving quickly.

Second half saw a number of changes for the visitors, and for 20 minutes the game was at a stalemate. New front row of Robinson, Gibson and Wilson settled well, Tackling and lineouts were still solid, and Ionians were still prepared to run the ball, as well as kick and chase with Couch at scrum half, but as progress was being made the occasional fumble/knock on helped relieve the pressure built.
Malton to their credit stuck at the task but were unable to threaten Ionians line.
With 10 minutes to go, Ionians scored their 5th try, from a scrum on the 22, the ball was passed down the line, bringing in winger Blyth and a final pass from Waudby to Myers enabled the now stand off to score.
Forwards combined to score the next try after an initial burst from Walker, as Nellist was caught and pulled down just short of the line he was able to get the ball to Holgate who crashed over the line. Conversion by Myers. 38 to 0

The final score was scored by Man of Match Walker, set free by good backs play, he ran the length of the oppositions half, with Timmins on his shoulder. Kirk converted to complete the scoring.

Final Score 45 to 0

Try Scorers
Joe Walker 3, Adam Myers, Archie Smeaton, Marshall Holgate, Toms Vickops
Conversion
Charlie Kirk, 4/5. Adam Myers 1/2
Man of Match
Joe Walker