Hull Ionians 25 v 26 Sheffield Tigers

Hull Ionians 25 v 26 Sheffield Tigers.
Ionians started with some of the most cohesive and determined rugby they have produced for some weeks. During those opening exchanges they were surprisingly, almost uniquely these days, penalised when they got the push on in a scrum; when they had a chance at goal Lewis Minikin skimmed a penalty off the wrong side of the up-rights. You just knew it wasn’t going to be their day.
A second penalty award was put to touch, close to the Tigers line, and a successful catch was driven on and over for a try for Ally Forth.
Tigers finally broke into the home half and came away with three points, thanks to a kick from distance by Will Baker. At the match at Dore moor it was reported “there are few better off the tee than Mark Ireland”. Baker looks to be one; the heir apparent had an imperious day with the boot, contributing sixteen points to the visitor’s total.
Ionians came back hard. Joe Makin and Euan Walker trundled forward towards the 22, allowing Will Stowe the space to crash through the mid field up to within 5m of the line. The hosts were penalised at the breakdown and Ireland cleared away to touch.
Ionians were not getting the rub of the green, certainly they had little to thank the emerald shirted officials for, and two penalties for Tigers put Baker in range of the posts. He duly obliged and put Sheffield in front, with the first quarter completed.
This sparked an immediate riposte from Ionians. Minikin cut through the Tigers ranks from just on half way. He had support and drew the cover before picking out Sam Pocklington, haring up on his inside shoulder. Pocklington was chased all the way from the 22 but he held off the attentions of Oliver Butterworth to slide over for the try. Minikin added the goal, and two minutes later a penalty, to put Ionians 15 – 6 to the good.
Not even Unlucky Alf (youtube him, hilarious) suffered the misfortune that next fell on the home side. A clearance kick was fielded by Sheffield and kicked back. In doing so it clipped an Ionians player, thus putting Harry Cartwright, loitering 20 yards up field, into an on-side position. He gathered the ball and trotted over the line virtually unopposed. Oh, bugger.
Ionians were still bemoaning their luck when Tigers struck again. Following some good build up play, they worked the ball out to the wing and Butterworth smashed through some questionable cover tackling to plunge over the line close to the flag. Baker struck a well judged conversion to give Tigers a 5 point advantage, with five minutes left to the break.
It looked as if there was to be a repeat score when Jamie Broadley led another break up the far touch. He put Butterworth away and he seemed nailed on to score, only for George Mewburn to appear from nowhere and cut him down, get to his feet and secure the ball. Vintage play from the No8.
Ionians could have snatched the lead back just before half time. Alfie Celella made a terrific break, Callum Sanderson then gathered the ball and thundered on towards the line. It looked easier to score than not, but he had a crisis of confidence and popped a pass to Makin. He was completely caught unawares, expecting Sanderson to score himself, and the ball brushed off his arm and fell to the ground. Ionians went to oranges 5 points in arrears, even though there were enough signs to be optimistic for the second half.
Ionians made a poor start to the second period. The kick-off failed to make the distance and Tigers attacked off the resulting scrum. The defence was stretched and Pocklington was sent away to consider his actions for a deliberate knock on. Inevitably, Baker banged over the resulting penalty.
Minikin pulled three points back for Ionians but they were increasingly catching the referee’s eye for the wrong reasons and Baker struck again to put Tigers up, 18 – 23, in the 54th minute.
Restored to a full complement the hosts set about reducing the arrears. They launched a concerted attack on the Tigers line, going through innumerable phases, but despite all the effort came away with nowt.
The tide did seem to be turning though, Ionians won a penalty! They were now building some momentum; Lucas Powell broke away from a ruck and Ally Forth carried on towards the line. He was stopped but James Sanderson was on hand to scoop up the ball, he was grabbed by Makin and the two of them bludgeoned their way over. Minikin added the extras and Ionians were within a point of the opposition. There was ten minutes remaining for I’s to gain a much needed win.
They were unable to fashion another score. Tigers clung on to what they had, as if their lives depended on it. They were helped by another yellow card, brandished at Will Stowe for what looked like a straight forward tackle. There were worse go unpunished, even uncommented upon, in the six Nations games.
The point gained moved Ionians out of the bottom two. It doesn’t alter the importance of next weeks game against Billingham but should give the team a fillip. Come down and show your support. See you there.