Ionians played with real heart

While not a win,it was a huge encouragement after a difficult first match of the season.

During weekday coaching work had been done on the role of the pack and on reshuffling the backs. Having made the journey to York the team stuck together from the off, putting recent training into practice. The York team were clearly skilled, with a particularly dangerous right winger. It was some few minutes before their first try but two more followed before the half time whistle, all converted. Ionians remained upbeat and stuck to the game plan.

Into the second half Ionians had huge resolve from the off, keeping York in their own half for most of the time. Despite this York took another two over the line, also converted. Ionians forwards hit back and Mongo seized a chance to act as scrum half in a ruck dominated by Ionians, pick the ball from the ruck and scoot up-field, shaking off a couple of tackles and running on to the line. Converted by Onslow.

Buoyed by a first try the whole Ionians team kept up the pressure, keeping the ball just from the York line for a number of phases, which gave Jobo the change to burrow over the line for a second try, again converted by Onslow.

All in all a great team effort form every player and as the coaches said afterwards, they all played with real heart .

Player of the Match - Ali
Tackler of the Match - Mongo