Ionians embarked upon the new season with a Friday night friendly against Driffield RUFC. The home squad featured a number of new faces in the starting XV, several of whom caught the eye with their performances.
Although specific details may be vague (due to a propensity to engage in idle chat with a number of fellow spectators in a healthy crowd) No8 Jamal Khalil looked the part in a combative back-row: James Watt was assured, and showed a good turn of pace, at fly-half and one of James Couttie/ Finn Davies or Jacob Edwards at outside centre was fast and elusive. The returning Jack Townend showed he has lost none of his desire to run the ball, it’s always a delight to see him in action.
After an opening flurry from the visitors Ionians settled to control play and it was testament to a spirited Driffield defence (and some rustiness from the hosts) that the first score didn’t occur until the 20-minute mark.
Ionians showed their forward power to drive over from a five-metre scum, with Khalil controlling the ball well before diving over as it crossed the line. Watt added the goal from in front of the sticks.
Driffield enjoyed a period of play well into the Ionians territory but an interception by Josh Britton transferred play back down to the other end.
Alfie Celella then went close to adding a try before Townend gathered a clearance kick on half way and galloped diagonally across the park, he linked up with the 13 who scorched away to score.
There were wholesale changes at the break but Ionians still had the upper hand. Sam Pocklington looked as sharp as ever and his quick delivery brought the best out of some of the young backs on display. There were some lads with serious pace, Ted Martinson for one, and they combined well to add five or six more tries in the second half.
It was a performance that will have pleased the coaching staff. Not only from the tries that were scored but also from a solid defensive effort that prevented Driffield from getting over the whitewash.
There are sterner challenges ahead in the games against Rotherham and Leeds but it was an encouraging and entertaining start.