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The Bugle - Sports headlines
Malcolm Knowles24 Aug 2025 - 12:02
Leeds 62 v 21 Hull Ionians Not all gloom for I's in Bramhope.
Ionians completed their pre-season preparations with a Friday night run-out against another N1 opponent in Leeds Tykes. It resulted in another sizable defeat, 62 – 21, with a disappointingly high penalty count hampering I’s, but the pace and intensity of the hosts will have been a good grounding for a largely youthful squad.
Leeds were sharp out of the blocks and pinned Ionians in their 22. A succession of penalties allowed Leeds to pile on the pressure and they grabbed two tries in the opening ten minutes.
It took Ionians twenty minutes before they were able to conjure up anything meaningful in attack but they lost possession and Leeds seized on the ball and Crossland and Davies combined to send the winger clear for the third try.
Ionians’ task then got harder as they conceded a penalty try and had athletic second-row, Norton Bulgacs, sent to the bin.
It didn’t initially impede them; they produced a wonderful passage of play but were pulled back for a forward pass with a try begging. I’s had been awarded a penalty in the build up which was put to touch, but again they cocked up a scoring chance when the ball was dropped with the line at their mercy.
Davies showed his quality with a fine individual score to close the half, Leeds leading 31 – 0.
Ionians made an encouraging start to the second half. George Mewburn broke clear and set Sam Pocklington away to the line, the conversion was tagged on to move the score to 31 – 7.
Leeds responded with two tries in quick succession, Turagabeci was influential in both efforts, before Ionians scored a second when George Hotchen (?) chased a kick, gathered the ball and scorched away to the line.
The lights did little to pierce the gloom. There was a period of aerial tennis before Leeds were gifted a try, with I’s caught watching the ball to allow the pacy Tykes backs to stroll over.
Ionians had more of the ball in the second half and not surprisingly, with Lewis Minikin partnering his brother in the centre, offered more of a threat. A run from the elder sibling got Ionians into the opposition 22 and Leeds took the ball into touch.
I’s won the ball and swung it into mid-field; Josh Britton cut back on a diagonal run and had Josh Thundercliffe in support and he powered his way to the line. The conversion was added to take the score to 57 – 21.
Leeds added a final try on the final whistle.
There had been plenty of defending to do, as there was at Rotherham, so it shouldn’t be an issue in the opening fixtures and there was enough attacking potential to suggest there shouldn’t be a problem in that department either.
Who caught the eye? The pack stood up well in the set piece. Individually; Ben Stephenson was heavily involved in the defensive effort, there was plenty to like about young Bulgacs and the back row trio look a very effective unit. Jamal Khalil impresses me but will have his work cut out to gain a place in the starting side. He will bust a gut trying.
In the backs the usual suspects looked sharp. Of the others on view, Ted Malcolmson was prominent. He has pace and potential but needs to consider pragmatism as an option.
It was difficult to decide whether Ionians have a discipline problem or the referee was being pedantic in the extreme. Certainly, he seemed to have little empathy in what was a pre-season friendly.
Also, and I realise it is more my problem than Sir’s, but his signalling to indicate his decisions reminded me more of a one man tribute act to the Village People than a match official. Anyway, we look forward to the trip to Fylde.
Leeds were sharp out of the blocks and pinned Ionians in their 22. A succession of penalties allowed Leeds to pile on the pressure and they grabbed two tries in the opening ten minutes.
It took Ionians twenty minutes before they were able to conjure up anything meaningful in attack but they lost possession and Leeds seized on the ball and Crossland and Davies combined to send the winger clear for the third try.
Ionians’ task then got harder as they conceded a penalty try and had athletic second-row, Norton Bulgacs, sent to the bin.
It didn’t initially impede them; they produced a wonderful passage of play but were pulled back for a forward pass with a try begging. I’s had been awarded a penalty in the build up which was put to touch, but again they cocked up a scoring chance when the ball was dropped with the line at their mercy.
Davies showed his quality with a fine individual score to close the half, Leeds leading 31 – 0.
Ionians made an encouraging start to the second half. George Mewburn broke clear and set Sam Pocklington away to the line, the conversion was tagged on to move the score to 31 – 7.
Leeds responded with two tries in quick succession, Turagabeci was influential in both efforts, before Ionians scored a second when George Hotchen (?) chased a kick, gathered the ball and scorched away to the line.
The lights did little to pierce the gloom. There was a period of aerial tennis before Leeds were gifted a try, with I’s caught watching the ball to allow the pacy Tykes backs to stroll over.
Ionians had more of the ball in the second half and not surprisingly, with Lewis Minikin partnering his brother in the centre, offered more of a threat. A run from the elder sibling got Ionians into the opposition 22 and Leeds took the ball into touch.
I’s won the ball and swung it into mid-field; Josh Britton cut back on a diagonal run and had Josh Thundercliffe in support and he powered his way to the line. The conversion was added to take the score to 57 – 21.
Leeds added a final try on the final whistle.
There had been plenty of defending to do, as there was at Rotherham, so it shouldn’t be an issue in the opening fixtures and there was enough attacking potential to suggest there shouldn’t be a problem in that department either.
Who caught the eye? The pack stood up well in the set piece. Individually; Ben Stephenson was heavily involved in the defensive effort, there was plenty to like about young Bulgacs and the back row trio look a very effective unit. Jamal Khalil impresses me but will have his work cut out to gain a place in the starting side. He will bust a gut trying.
In the backs the usual suspects looked sharp. Of the others on view, Ted Malcolmson was prominent. He has pace and potential but needs to consider pragmatism as an option.
It was difficult to decide whether Ionians have a discipline problem or the referee was being pedantic in the extreme. Certainly, he seemed to have little empathy in what was a pre-season friendly.
Also, and I realise it is more my problem than Sir’s, but his signalling to indicate his decisions reminded me more of a one man tribute act to the Village People than a match official. Anyway, we look forward to the trip to Fylde.
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