Ionians Gain Two Narrow Victories
Hull Ionians Under 12s recorded two victories by beating both Doncaster and Driffield in very tight games.
Game one against Doncaster was only two minutes old when Ionians went behind to a converted try. The Ionians defence had to work overtime to contain a much bigger team and only good solid tackling from Jack Scaife, Riley Young, Joe Boanas and Red Silk did this. In attack James Walgate, Ben Adams and Joe Layden probed away and on twelve minutes they were level when a really good move out wide found Jack Cochran who raced over and he also converted for a half time scoreline of 7-7.
In the second half a penalty on the half way line resulted in Thomas Shirra bustling his way through to give Ionians the lead and Joe Baarda added the extras. Electrifying runs from Jack Hassard and Jack Cochran softened up the Doncaster defence and from a mistake at a lineout they increased their lead with Oliver Parker scoring and Joe Baarda converting. Ben Teasdale and Chris Fox were solid in defence but the last try of the game went the way of Doncaster as massive pressure on the Ionians tryline paid off to make the final score 21-14 to Ionians.
Game two versus Driffield saw Ionians get off to a very sloppy start conceding two quick converted tries to trail 0-14. The defence then managed to get back on track and a great tackle well inside his own half by Jack Hassard gave possession back to Ionians and Thomas Shirra raced away to score and Joe Baarda converting. The backs gained momentum through Alistair Hall and another fast move between Riley Young and Jack Scaife paved the way for Thomas Shirra’s second try and again Joe Baarda with the extras to pull Ionians level at half time.
The second session was very tight throughout with Chris Fox, Finlay Graves and Ben Teasdale standing up to all that Doncaster could muster. This was backed up by good running from Oscar Swift and Jack Hassard. The only try of this half was a pushover from Joe Layden and up stepped yet again Joe Baarda for the two points and another 21-14 victory for Hull Ionians.
Awards to Hull Ionians were Man Of The Match Jack Scaife and Best Tackler Joe Layden.
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