Match Report.

Hull Ionian’s u13’s went into the next round of the Yorkshire Cup in great form and it showed with a terrific 29:7 win against a well organised Pocklington side.

From the kick off both sides enjoyed some early phases of play, but I’s forwards started to dominate the ruck with Will Plater and Archie Smeaton putting in some great counter rucking. The pressure soon started to tell, a barnstorming run by Marshall saw in form Harry Cawood link up with the backs, and quick hands put fullback James Magee into space for the first try, which he converted.

From KO the ball was well taken by Marshall, forwards once again started to show dominance around the ruck with Danny Betts, Colton Anderson (Tex) and Harry Lyon always pushing back the Pocklington pack, resulting in some quick balls from the ever reliable Olly Painter to link in well with Charlie Kirk to feed inside centre Adam Myers and the backs to be a constant threat, a loose pass by Magee saw it intercepted by Pocklington centre who ran half the pitch only to be caught by a last ditch tackle by Charlie Kirk.

Ionians now were playing some Champagne rugby, the ball was recycled through several phase’s allowing Jim Malcolmson to scatter the Pocklington defence to score out wide, conversion missed.

From the KO it was all one way traffic, Ionians forwards Benn Wilson, Will Plater and Marshall all helping to win the break down with Painter and Kirk dominating the three quarter line. Will Robinson came off the bench to punch big holes in the defence to set up Archie to break the line and quick hands from Joe Walker put James Magee into space and backed himself to score again, with kick missed.

Pocklington regrouped and started to put some pressure on towards the end of the first half, some fine play by Pocklington forwards started to see them dominating the scrums and only some strong defence from Paul Evison and Daniel Couch stopped them scoring out wide.

Ionians raised to the challenge and upped the work rate, great phase of play saw the ball moved wide with Joe, Daniel and Paul all unlucky not to score. The first half finished when the ball was worked up field to be finished with a try for Man of the Match, James Malcolmson , kick converted. Ionians going in 24:0 at half time.

It was definitely a game of two halves, Pocklington came out fired up and stared to work Ionians defence. Both forwards and backs kept out the Pocklington attack, changes at half time were well executed by the coaching team resulting in a like for like defence performance. Conker and Danny Hornsby showing some good touches in both attack and defence, and Jack Denley’s strong rucking helping support the forwards.

Pressure, with the penalty count going to Pocklington started to show field position, the ball was moved wide and eventually was turned into points when the centre broke through the Ionians defence, only to beat the full back and go under the post for a well-deserved try which was converted. 24:7

Ionians responded well from the kick off and dominated the final 5 minutes. A welcome return from the flying Charlie Cade saw him tackle the Pocklington winger who lost the ball and from the resulting pick up charged down the wing to score in the corner. Conversion missed. A good win by Ionians who have now booked their place in the quarter finals.

Final score 29:7

MOTM- Jim Malcolmson & Archie Smeaton

Trys- James Magee x2, Jim Malcolmson x2, Charlie Cade.

Conv- James Magee x2