Reflecting on the match played at Abbeydale Park yesterday, several conflicting thoughts meander through the mind. First and foremost, what a bloody good game. It was a full throttle, wholehearted affair, punctuated with skill that brought some scores right out of the top drawer.
There were eleven tries in all and a couple by both sides would have graced any premiership pitch; the home team’s effort finished by centre Pegg and Ionians’ try by Sam Pocklington were particularly outstanding because of the excellent teamwork that led to the scores. Scintillating stuff.
Either side could have won, the scores were tied on the hour, but Sheffield had that extra bit of nous and self-belief that comes from winning regularly, to seize the opportunities when they came and establish a big enough lead that Ionians were unable to claw back.
After last week’s vapid performance against Harrogate, I’s supporters had travelled more in hope than expectation. Those dreams were seemingly dashed by the fourth minute when Sheffield mauled the ball to the line for Rhodri Campbell to flop over for the opening try, Elliot Fisher added the conversion and the Abbeydale side were up and running, 7-0.
Oh, ye of little faith! Within a couple of minutes Ionians turned the tables, they drove one of their few lineout successes to the line, to be awarded a penalty try when Sheffield were penalised for collapsing the maul, with Rob Fawdrey given 10 minutes to consider his misdemeanour.
Back came the hosts, to pummel away at the Ionians line with a series of pick and goes. The visitors held firm until Sheffield were awarded a scrum five metres out and Ryan Burrows controlled the ball over the line to score. Callum Posa took on the kicking duties and added the goal to put Sheffield 14 – 7 in front, with a quarter of the match done.
The hosts quickly extended their lead with a well constructed try. They turned the ball over on half way and slick play between forwards and backs put Alex Pegg clear to score in the corner, Posa knocked over the difficult conversion and the home side were 21 – 7 to the good.

Ionians then showed they too could play enterprising stuff. Ben Smith rescued poor ball to set them on the move. Joe Makin, James Sanderson and Josh Britton combined to create a gap for George Mewburn to burst through and race away to the line, allowing Lewis Minikin to add a simple conversion.
Burrows, often cast as a pantomime villain (by me at least), fumbled the re-start but it went backwards and he regathered to break 30m up the touch to put Sheffield in a commanding position. Ionians were able to weather the storm, with Mewburn leading some outstanding defensive work from the whole team, keeping out some robust charges from the home back- row and some illusive running from Christian Hooper.
Ionians managed to break away up into the Sheffield 22. Untidy ball from a ruck was gathered well by Britton, who took the ball into contact before presenting it to be swept across the field to Jake Boardman. He made a dart for the corner but was held. The re-cycled ball came back to Lucas Powell and he charged for the line. He in turn was stopped short but managed to pop the ball to Tom Winch and quick hands put Boardman over in the corner. Minikin banged over the conversion from off the touchline to tie the scores at 21 apiece.
Shortly after Sideshow Bob blew for oranges.
Ionians started the second half on the front foot and were well placed in the hosts half when they were awarded a penalty. Eschewing the chance of a relatively easy three points, they went for touch. The lineout didn’t go well. Sheffield managed to find touch just outside their 22 and the resulting lineout didn’t go well either, the same call and the same result. Third time lucky? No. Ionians couldn’t find a way to the back of the line over the 6’ 12” Dom Parsons.
Sheffield cleared the ball to just over half way, in to the hands of Minikin. He broke through the first few tackles before hitting James Sanderson on the charge. He sailed past another couple of defenders before being brought to a halt but Sheffield had just about run out of bodies and Sam Pocklington nipped in to take the pass and skip past the last man and run clear for the try. The successful kick put Ionians into the lead, 21 – 28, with just over half an hour remaining.
Sheffield upped the tempo and put Ionians under the cosh. Ionians lost Ben Stephenson to the bin for a high tackle as the hosts pushed for parity. It arrived moments after Ionians were reduced in numbers.
Sheffield exploited the space available, with the pack driving forward to suck in the defence before swinging the ball across to Hirsute Hooper who nimbly evaded several would be tacklers before setting Will Smith away to smash a path to the line. Posa converted to fetch it back to all square.
Ionians came back again. Morton, Mewburn and Powell made inroads before the ball was swung wide, but streetwise Sheffield isolated Will Yates and Ionians were penalised for holding on.
Ionians were tackling their hearts out, hoping to hold out until restored to a full complement. However, just as Stephenson was limbering up they conceded again. A powerful drive from Jason Hignall breached the line and he was able to pick out George Castledine to finish off the break with a try.
The home side completed 15 minutes of dominance with another well executed try. They went through a good few phases and moved the ball freely in search of an opening, finally finding a gap with a neat inside pass that picked out Cameron Catleugh who then saw off three defenders on a dash to the line. Posa added the goal and the hosts were 40 – 28 points in front.
Ten minutes remained for Ionians to at least gain a losing bonus point to go with the one already garnered for four tries. A host of “finishers” had been thrown on to help in the quest, but it was Sheffield who offered the most assistance.
With time ticking away the home side had two players dispatched to the bin in quick succession. Sam Edwards, who as you know is sponsored by Wolds Heating and Cooling, took the ball into contact. The forwards piled in allowing Charlie Kirk to swing the ball down the back line. Some sleight of hand from Ben Smith caused a momentary lapse and a long pass picked out Yates, who finished well near the flag. The conversion sailed narrowly wide but Ionians were within 7 points.
Sheffield retained possession for the remaining minutes to ensure there was no upset and ran out victors, 40 -33.
As to those other reflections; what is done is done but, like me, Ionians may like to deliberate over a couple of things: when the line-out option chosen isn’t bringing success perhaps it may be wise to try other options. Ben Stephenson is a good thrower but asking him to hit the back of the line, over the top of the tallest opposition jumper in the league, is like asking to thread a needle with a towrope. It’s unlikely to happen, when it doesn’t (three times in a row), try something else. Anything.
Secondly, when points are on offer (relatively guaranteed points, the scores tied at 21 a piece and the lineout isn’t functioning) take them. Lewis would have.
Thirdly, bloody good game, well played.