Hull Ionians scored 8 tries to one to secure the National 2 North Title with an excellent team display against a hard working Caldy team.
Hull Ionians Coach Gary Pearce was naturally delighted. “It makes you very proud to achieve this, especially for the lads. I feel extremely relieved after a long hard week. I knew we would get there, the lads deserved and worked hard for it.
“It’s been a long haul but they have got stuck into it and achieved a magnificent unbeaten home record.
“The achievement fills you with immense pride. Everyone in the club has worked hard to achieve, back room boys, coaching staff, admin staff, all of them, this is reflected in success gained by all the club’s teams, the 3rd and 4th teams both in finals and the Under 17s in a National final tomorrow.”
Caldy Chairman Jim Churchill congratulated Hull Ionians. ”The best team in the league has deservedly won it with superb teamwork that deserved success. You punished everyone of our mistakes today with the confidence of a winning team.”
A hat-trick for Kerry wood was the highlight as Hull Ionians won their 18th consecutive league match and maintained their unbeaten home record for the season. They have been second in the league since the 5th week of the season but superb teamwork constantly improved their standard to finish with a flourish to take the title.
A superb start by Hull Ionians forced Caldy to the corner where a take and drive saw Kerry Wood driven over. The next line-out had to be cleaned up then the ball moved wide where Richard Fletcher crashed through to send the supporting Joe Sanders under the posts, Chris Reakes converting.
Caldy came back helped by too many penalties from over enthusiasm and good support saw Dom Kohler under the posts, Gavin Roberts converting, only a solid home defence denying further points.
To close the half Hull Ionians again attacked the corner where Steve Johnson drove over to lead 17-7 at the break.
Two tries in 4 minutes after the restart saw Hull Ionians confident play proving unstoppable. Kerry Wood scored both, the first cleaning up after loose play, the second in support of a break by Joe Sanders. 10 minutes later Mike Bateman ran back a poor kick with Sam Wilson sending Chris Reakes clear to score.
Caldy pressure again could not break the defence and to close the match strong running into space saw Joey Martin send Mike Bateman in before Martin scored himself, Reakes converting the last three to bring up the half century and the start of celebrations.
Star Man – Adam Thomas - Hull Ionians

Photos to follow Sunday