Boro Match report

Sunday saw the U13's entertain a well supported Middlesborough team. Good conditions meant players and crowd alike were expecting an exciting game and neither were let down.

A new look Ionian's team took to the field with Denly and Richards in the second row and Magee and Cawood at scrum half and stand off. Initial exchanges centred in mid pitch, with strong tackling from both sides and the occassional breaks through opposition lines, with winger, Paul Evison seeing some ball. After 5 minutes some strong rucking by Tex, Benn and Harry L saw the backs get quick ball and passing through the backs hands, Charlie Cade was tackled short of the line. However the momentum was with Ionians and Danny Betts picked up the ball from the breakdown to dive over the line and give Ionians the lead. 5 to 0.

The restart didn't go the necessary 10, so Ionians were on the attack again, however the odd knock on, and the referee pulling up Ionians for offside, stifled progress. Tackles really were going in thick and fast, with Archie, Jimbob and Cadey really getting stuck in. A forwards break gave Harry Cawood to use the ball, passing onto Benn Wilson who flicked the ball to Paul Evison who made good ground before being bundled into touch. The ball went across field from the line out and when Eddie Richards broke and dummied, the gap appeared for Jimbob to score his 21st try of the season. 10 to 0 Ionians after 15 minutes.

The restart saw Boro's scrum half make a fantastic break for the line, however he was eventually pulled down by Conker, and while Middlesborough tried to go round Danny Hornsby on the left wing, the saving tackles ultimately created a knock on, and scrum down. Solid scrummage saw Ionian's gain good ball and they broke Boro's lines through runs from Harry Cawood and James Malcolmson. A line out enabled Benn Wilson to drive on supported by his teammates, and from the breakdown, James Magee picked up and ran down the blindside to out sprint his opposite scrum half to score and run under the posts, a try which he duly converted. 17 to 0 Ionians.

Boro attacked again from the restart and despite some desperate tackling, they managed to breach Ionians defence line in the last seconds of the first half. 17 to 5 at half time.

Personnel were changed for the second half, which matched the first half in characteristic, strong rucking, solid tackling and good aggressive intent from both sides. After 10 minutes a good break from Joe Walker gave Ionians good field position, and from the scrum, a quick pass from Olly Painter saw Harry Cawood crash over to extend the lead. Possession ebbed back and forth, with good breaks from Adam Myers, Archie Smeaton and Will Plater, putting Boro onto the back foot and being caught offside. From the penalty Charlie Kirk passed to Adam Myers who crashed over, 27 to 5.

From the restart some good interplay from Jimbob, Will Robinson and Harvey Gibson, enabled Adam Myers to break through again, only to have his try cancelled for being outside the dead ball line.

Ionians secured victory with a sixth try when good work from Charlie Kirk, saw him put through Joe Walker and the centre took the ball over the Boro's try line. Final score 32 to 5.

Well played boys and congratulations on your 11th successive win.

Men of Match, Paul Evison and Charlie Cade.

Try Scorers, Danny Betts, James Malcolmson, James Magee, Harry Cawood, Adam Myers, Joe Walker

Conversion James Magee