Tynedale 28 v 24 Hull Ionians

Hull Ionians fell to a narrow defeat at Corbridge, frustratingly unable to quell a late surge from the home side. Ionians had held the lead for most of the game, but the final try for the hosts seemed inevitable as the Tynedale pack gained the upper hand and the visitors could do little to the satisfaction of Mr Charlton. A penalty try in the 76th minute sealed the visitors fate.
Ionians were first on the scoreboard and the try was simplicity itself. Catch, drive, then the ball spun out to Lewis Minikin coming into the line, through a gap and over. Minikin added the extras and I’s led 0 – 7 after eight minutes.
Tynedale, as is their wont, ran the ball at just about every opportunity and threatened down the stand-side touch line. The wet conditions did nothing to help handling and both sides endured a difficult afternoon. The hosts got into the I’s 22 and an error gave them a scrum in front of the posts.
Chris Morton collected an injury which brought the shy and oft retiring Dave Laverick once more into the fray. I’s were immediately penalised and Tynedale forewent three points and scrummaged again. The ball was swept left but Sam Wilson was able to intercept and I’s cleared to half way.
I’s then won a loose ball and the excellent duo of Lucas Powell and James Sanderson combined to get them to within inches of the try line. The Tynedale scrambled defence were able to turn the ball over and fly-half Jake Rodgers cleared the danger.
Ionians cocked up the clearance kick, allowing the on rushing home backs to hack the ball on towards the line and they were only denied a score when they were judged to have knocked on in the act of grounding the ball.
It wasn’t high quality rugby but it was certainly action packed, end to end stuff. I’s were now deep in their own half and the hosts went through a good number of phases but made no headway against aggressive defending from Ionians.
I’s conceded another penalty at a scrum and Tynedale kick to the corner. A clean catch was driven to the line but held; repeated pick and goes crabbed the ball in field until Tynedale breached the defensive line and Oscar Caudle was the man who burrowed over. Rogers tied the scores at seven apiece with 25 minutes gone.
Tynedale gifted Ionians the lead straight from the kick off. Having caught the re-start they threw the ball down the line in such a lethargic and obvious fashion that Josh Britton was able to gather a pass, cut between the centres and run in unobstructed to score. It was slack from the home team and Minikin rubbed salt in with the successful conversion.
I’s had little time to enjoy the advantage. Tynedale again turned down three easy points in search of more. They chose to scrummage instead of converting a penalty awarded on the visitor’s 22. They got their reward when scrum-half Telford switched play swifty to the wing for Seamus Hutton to plunge over. Rodgers tied the scores with a well struck conversion.
Half time was closing in but there was enough time for I’s to snatch back the lead. They took play to the line and Tynedale were forced to touch down in goal. The resulting drop -out was fielded by Will Yates (much to his and every one else’s relief) and he ran it back at the home defence, forcing them onto the back foot. The ball came across the line and Minikin received it and the opposition tackler at the same time, miraculously he was able to transfer the ball on under extreme pressure and Sam Wilson had sight of the line. With no time to think he did what he does best, pinned his ears back and set off for the line. He streaked past the cover and crossed in the corner for a great try. Minikin was unable to add the conversion but Ionians went into the break leading 14 – 19.
The second period commenced with a series of scrums, the last thing Ionians needed, draining their energy, if not their resolve and the hosts made it tell. Rodgers kicked deep to the corner and Tynedale took the throw and drove towards the line. The referee was playing advantage as Tynedale made it to the line and it looked as if he was taking play back for the infringement when they were stripped of the ball and lost possession. However, the intervention of the assistant ref. led to a change of heart and a try was awarded. Rodger’s goal gave the hosts the lead for the first time in the match, 21 – 19, after 50 minutes played.
Yates and Wilson gave Ionians a lift with a 70m break down the stand-side touch, but Wilson was unable to win the race to his kick and chase. It did give the visitors good field position and although they made nothing from two successive line-outs, a penalty allowed Minikin to sneak Ionians back into the lead.
Ionians enjoyed something of a purple patch in terms of territory and possession and Minikin extended the lead with a penalty from 40m. With a quarter of an hour still to go a four point margin never looked enough.
Tynedale knew where they had the advantage and they did all in their power to make it tell. They worked the ball into the red zone and really put the pressure on. A succession of scrums racked up the tension and increased the frustration for the visitors. It threatened to boil over on occasion and George Mewburn was carded for a high tackle, bringing an end to his miserable afternoon.
One light in the set piece, Ionians were made to pay. No matter how the travelling support interpreted the scrummaging, Mr Charlton saw fit to repeatedly penalise Ionians. When his patience was finally eroded, he went to the posts and awarded a penalty try.
Tynedale were not to be denied victory. They threw everything into the defence of the lead in the dying minutes. Ionians chances faded with the light, the dusk maybe excusing some of the blatant infringements that were missed in pursuit of victory.
That last little bit of sour grapes should not detract from the overall performance from the hosts, who warranted the win, but the final few minutes took the gloss of a competent performance from the officials. Throwing yourself into rucks and mauls as if your life depended upon it is understandable but going in off your feet is illegal and should have been punished. Rant over.
I have often wondered where writers get inspiration, especially those who pen situation comedy. I wonder no more; on the bus back home we stopped off at a pub, "a local pub for local people". There was enough material for a whole series of Early doors and league of gentlemen ( both excellent if different, comedies). It helped to lift the mood. Keep smiling and see you back at I’s.