Huddersfield RUFC 31 v 39 Hull Ionians RUFC

If you have been to a car-boot sale this morning and bought a Monopoly Game check through the contents. The Ionians squad have sold theirs with the “get out of jail free card” missing. They much prefer playing Jeopardy, though I suspect coach Steadman will be binning that game as well.
It couldn’t have been a better start to the new season. Huddersfield’s Lockwood Park looked an absolute picture under the glorious September sun and within 10 minutes I’s had taken the lead, by the half hour they were sitting comfortably on a 20 point advantage.
The visitors then began to doze in the balmy conditions and allowed the home side to score three unanswered tries within five minutes either side of the break, to cut the deficit to three points.
From there on in the sides traded scores to keep things interesting, until, in the final minute, Kobby Opoku - Fofie popped up on the shoulder of skipper Sanderson to sprint away under the posts and give Ionians victory 31 – 39 and deny Huddersfield a second bonus point for all their efforts.
The early exchanges suggested the game would be keenly contested. The scrum was evenly matched and both sides looked to move the ball, given the opportunity. Huddersfield looked particularly effective with their off loading from the centre pairing of Ed Barber and Lewis Workman, but sloppy support play hindered their progress and good defence from I’s kept them pinned deep into their own half of the field.
Ionians took the lead when Joe Makin went bullocking through the first line of defence and set Sam Wilson dancing away down the touch line. He popped a pass to Sam Pocklington who smartly picked out Alfie Celella to canter over.
Lewis Minikin extended the lead with a long range penalty and it looked as if I’s had gone further ahead when Wilson raced clear, following a good break from Celella, but the final pass was adjudged to have been forward.
Though Huddersfield continued to offer a threat it was Ionians who continued to dominate play; a great break from James Sanderson got to within five metres of the line but the support wasn’t able to gather cleanly and Huddersfield had a scrum.
Ally Forth took the ball against the head, but unsure of what had occurred Mr Moorhouse called for a re-set. Forth repeated the feat and Pocklington swept the ball down the narrow side to Minikin who barged his way over. A well-judged conversion stretched the lead to 0 – 15.
Huddersfield’s high penalty count helped Ionians to maintain control of the game; two penalties in quick succession put Ionians to within five metres of the line, the front ball throw was dropped down to Callum Sanderson as he looped round from the back of the line and he powered over for the try.
As half time approached Huddersfield’s skipper Barber re -vitalised his side. From a scrum just in the Ionians half Barber picked an excellent line to burst onto a short pass and race clear. He should have been tackled but managed to move the ball out to the wing. Finley Stewart cut back through some insipid marking to find Barber following play and he bumped his way over to score.
Ionians went straight back on the attack but had the ball turned over on the Huddersfield 22 and quick transfer put Workman away. He saw off some light- weight tackling to run in from 50 yards.
Half time came with a slightly disconcerting 10 – 20 score line.
Things continued on the up for Huddersfield, with back – rower Liam Parfitt supporting another break from Barber and scrum – half Potter to cross under the posts within a minute of the resumption. Ionians had gone from the comfort of 0 – 20 to a parlous 17 – 20 during five minutes of play.
A cool head and quick thinking pulled Ionians clear again; the ever-alert Pocklington took a quick tap when the hosts were penalised and he had Joe Makin on his shoulder to take the pass and gallop over from 20 metres. Minikin goaled to restore a ten point advantage and give I’s a bonus point.
There was barely time to draw breath before Huddersfield hit back. The home side retained possession well as they probed to find a gap. Flanker Lewis Quinn punched a hole in the I’s defence and the ball came back to fly – half Joe Gallagher, who threaded a kick through towards the line that sat up invitingly for Kian Stewart to gather and dive over. That score earned Huddersfield a bonus point and Gallagher tagged on the conversion to bring Huddersfield back to within three points of Ionians.
I’s continued to live dangerously with some chaotic play but they looked to have created a try for debutant Will Yates only to be pulled back for a foot in touch.
Huddersfield’s poor discipline and mediocre line -out work kept Ionians on the front foot and a penalty kicked to the corner resulted in a try for Ally Forth as he latched onto the back of the catch and drive to plunge over the line. The conversion was missed but Ionians led 24 – 32 with the game entering the final quarter.
Play became increasingly frenetic as both sides tired and errors abounded. Ionians worked their way into the home 22 and were awarded a penalty near enough in front of the posts. They eschewed the chance of three point in pursuit of a try and kicked to the corner. Although they took the line-out Quinn stripped the ball and broke clear and before you knew it Huddersfield were into the Ionians 22, only to lose possession for holding on in the tackle. Would Ionians regret not taking the three points?
Nails were now bitten to the quick as the game entered the final five minutes. Huddersfield won a penalty and kicked for touch. Their lack of line-out success continued and Ionians' Scott Westwood cleared up at the back of the line and bulldozed his way up field. Ionians looked to move the ball away from the breakdown but Barber read the situation superbly and intercepted to run away and score. The conversion from Gallager brought the scores to within a point, 31 – 32, with only minutes to play.
Ionians’ supporters were now gnawing at their elbows. The re-start went into the Huddersfield 22, they attempted to run their way out of trouble but the ball came free in the tackle and James Sanderson pounced, he jinked past two defenders before setting Kobby Fofie away to the line. Minikin added the goal to give Ionians a 31 – 39 lead.
There was just enough time for the re-start, a scrum and a couple of tackles before Sam Pocklington took the pragmatic move and but the ball into touch, so ending a thoroughly entertaining afternoon.