A good number of people told me I should write a positive report this week, and how right they are. At the risk of seeming sensitive I will point out that I am sanguine when the performance warrants it, less so when it doesn’t.

Ionians’ efforts fully justify all the praise that was heaped upon them. I am less convinced the home team deserved the invective directed at them by Hull President, Jeremy Saunt… however, let us reflect upon the game.

Infringements within the opening five minutes were punished and Ionians found themselves trailing 6 – 0 to two Reece Dean penalties.
Ionians responded to the setback with the forwards working the ball into the home half, a clean line out take created an opportunity for Josh Britton to break through into the “red zone” and good support from Kobby Fofie presented a simple pass to back row colleague, James Sanderson, who was able to stroll over for the opening try. Lewis Minikin added the easy conversion, the first of eight successful attempts at goal, to help him to a personal tally of 25 points on the day. He was unfortunate not to have more, two kicks rattled back off the up rights, but in the end it didn’t matter.

Ionians, and Sanderson, bagged another try five minutes later. Ben Smith, who brought a level of control and direction to Ionians play not seen for some time, drilled a kick into the home 22, Hull tarried over the clearance and Joe Makin charged the kick down. Sanderson was quick to run on and gather and force his way over the line. The conversion gave Ionians an eight-point lead with a quarter of an hour gone.

Hull cut the lead back to a point with a try from Harvey Harding, converted by Dean. The hosts were applying pressure in the Ionians half and a penalty award was quickly taken by Harding who wrong footed the defence to evade several tacklers on his way to the line.

Ionians re-acted by taking the game by the scruff of the neck, scoring three unanswered tries before the break.
Ionians won a line-out on half way; carries from Callum Sanderson and George Mewburn put Hull on the back foot and resulted in a penalty to the visitors. Minikin was just wide with the kick but Ionians were awarded another penalty, which was drilled to touch. From 10m out Ionians drove in field, they carried on taking advantage from another penalty award, which allowed poacher Pocklington to dummy his way over the line.

Minikin added a penalty to the visitor’s score before Pocklinton scored his second (and the bonus point) try. Makin leapt to gather a box kick (so often the bane of I’s performances, not today!), the ball was moved on to Mewburn who barged into the Hull forwards. Ruck ball was swept across to Minikin who broke clear before picking out Pocklington in support on his inside shoulder. No fancy passes this week and Sam sprinted clear to the posts.

Ionians were more than happy with the 13 -29 score line as half time approached but Jimmy McDaniel capped a tremendous personal performance with a fine individual effort just before the break. We all know one teams poor tackling is another’s skilful running; suffice to say McDaniel ran in from 30m, after he broke clean through two defenders and then saw off a second attempt from Dean before crashing over in the corner. Ionians went in for a cuppa, comfortably clear, 13 – 34.

The second half was less dramatic than the opening 40 minutes. Ionians took a pragmatic approach and took the points when they were on offer. Hull had more possession but they failed to threaten a credible come back, nullified by an effective game plan by their opponents and their inability to finish off opportunities that did arise.

Ionians extended the lead with a simple, and beautifully executed, try. Ben Smith threaded a kick between the Hull centres and Minikin ghosted through and grounded the ball as it came to rest between the posts. The easily garnered extras took the score to 13 – 41.

Hull took the re-start deep into the Ionians half and, under pressure, Ionians conceded a penalty. Harding took a quick tap and it looked as if the pack had driven over for a try only for Mr Pearson to determine that Hull had been tackled short of the line and not released the ball.
Ionians cleared to touch but Hull came back and a catch and drive allowed Charlie Beech to barge over. Dean struck the wrong side of the up-right with a difficult conversion attempt but the try gave the hosts sufficient a lift for Hull to become more adventurous.

It looked to have paid off when one of the home back line broke clear down the stand side touch but, as cover came across, he inexplicably ignored his supporting winger and was shepherded into touch.

That was to be it from the hosts. Ionians made the game safe with three routine penalties in quick succession and put the cherry on the cake with a late try from Will Yates, who wriggled his way past several players to cross in the corner.

This performance was everything that last week’s wasn’t. The coaching team deserve to be pleased. It isn’t difficult to mention someone who played well, they all did. Mention should be made of the performances of Mike Melhuish, Kobby Fofie, Ben Smith and Jimmy McDaniel.

Mike allayed fears that his head might end up where the sun don’t shine. It’s a tough place to go and difficult to learn on the job, well done. Kobby was outstanding last week and he was again against Hull, quality. Smithy had a great game, it is fantastic to see him back to his best. Jimmy is likely to earn the unwanted sobriquet “utility back”. With the way he played, chasing and harrying, tackling and covering, ever eager, he may better suit spaniel McDaniel.
The post-match address brought ire from the Hull President. It was “embarrassing and shameful” and “unacceptable”. You said it, Jeremy, you said it.