The Coach driver said he wanted as much weight as possible on his bus for travelling over the Pennines. He wasn’t joking. Storm Darragh awaited us and were we up for it? Yes we were!

Following two defeats, both by less than a score, Hull Ionians bounced back in style to blow away Hoppers at a very wet and windy Lightfoot Green. The playing conditions were atrocious but we made light of it, handling the ball well, making fewer mistakes, providing ‘brick wall’ defence and running in five tries.

The squad picked the worst weather conditions of the year so far to show again just what we are capable of. Producing the form that destroyed Hull and brought us so close to beating both Leeds and Sheffield, and all have been ‘away’ fixtures.

For those of us that support our team week in, week out, it is difficult to understand why we chose such a wet and windy day to sort out a problem that has dogged the team for weeks. We won all of our own lineout ball and pinched a couple of theirs, which on current form was outstanding. Add this to a solid scrum and we were able to show just what we can do when we have good 1st phase possession.

This game was everything that our performance against Tynedale cried out for. The mental and physical application from all involved, in such adverse conditions, was tremendous. And so to the game itself.

It was a good toss to win and our skipper rightly chose to play with the wind at his back and confirm the old saying that you should always take whatever advantage is offered to you. We opened the match with our only kick-off of the game, pinning Hoppers back with resolute tackling and forcing the error. This allowed us to open the scoring in the third minute when Sam Pocklington found a gap in the Hoppers defence to score near the sticks. Lewis Minikin added the extras, the first of his 29 points on the day.

HI’s were clearly applying themselves better to the conditions. George Mewburn’s hair has grown back a little, giving him the strength to once again terrorise defences. George was literally charging about the field like a ‘Pamplonian Bull’, making and breaking tackle after tackle. This nonstop display eventually lead to George scoring his try on 16mins. Minikin missed the conversion, but soon made amends.

HI’s were now on fire, claiming possession and using it well. On 19 mins Minikin scored his first try of the game, gliding past defenders like we have seen so many times and jinking through the Hoppers’ defence, before adding the extras.

Hoppers’ woes continued when tight head prop Mike Ashdown had a rush of blood to the brain, which produced and unfortunate kick out at ben Stephenson on the Floor, right in front of Mr Ounsley. Young George had no choice but to issue a straight red card, which did nothing to assist Hoppers with the relentless punishment they were receiving and trying valiantly to stem.

A word about the referee on the day, who everyone forgets when we have such a commanding win. I thought young George coped with the conditions very well. It would have been easy to stop the game for any number of infringements in that weather but gone were the somewhat pedantic ‘not straight’ calls at the lineout and, around the field, young George kept a difficult game flowing as best he could.
Minikin added two penalties on 26 & 28 mins as Hoppers infringed due to being put under increasing pressure by HI’s.
On 39 mins, HI’s gained possession and made a little dink kick over the advancing defence, which left Minikin free to collect and ross for his second try. He again added the extras.

It has to said that everyone in the crowd was wondering why the Hoppers 10. repeatedly tried to kick-off ‘high’ into a howling gale. This only saw the ball blown back, travelling less than the required 10m and sometimes back over his advancing forwards. These poor kick-offs allowed HI’s forwards to capitalise on possession and provide position to put Hoppers under more pressure. Have a word someone!

Half time came with HI’s winning 32-0.

At half time Morts came off and on 51mins Mike Mel left the fray, both props having put in a good shift. They were replaced by the ever industrious Sam Edwards and a Josh Thundercliffe who was lively and keen to impress.

HI’s were now facing the elements. This did nothing to dampen any spirits. In fact, if anything, it allowed the whole team to produce the finest defensive display I have seen from this squad of players. Special mention here to backrow Lucas Powell who was again pressed into starting the match in the 2nd row (never an easy task!). Time and again, Lucas linked well in attack and defended like his life depended on it. After some prolonged pressure and Just when Hoppers looked like scoring, it was Lucas who emerged with the ball and cancel out any thoughts of Hoppers getting on the scoreboard.

We hoped for an early score by HI’s to put the game out of sight and we were not disappointed. On 47 mins Minikin scored what was to be the last score of the game. Lewis once again out paced the defence, finding a gap and scored his ‘Hat-Trick’ try under the posts. Lewis again added another two points, as well.

To be fair, Hoppers’ were using the conditions to play in our half but HI’s defence was relentless and time and again, we broke out of defence. One such break led to the Hoppers full-back being yellow carded for yet another high tackle. It could have been worse as we looked like scoring but Young George decided on just a Yellow.

On 56 mins Cal Sanderson came on to give Alan Hudson a well-deserved rest. Cal picked up where Alan had left off, carrying well and ‘skittling’ over the Hoppers defenders.

Also on 56 mins, Winchy was replaced by Cam Burnhill and on 72 mins Charlie Kirk came on for a limping Jimmy McDaniel.
On 56 mins Morts came back on for Stevo with Sam Edwards moving seamlessly over to hooker.
The rest of the half was mainly attrition in terrible conditions. I could throw numerous superlatives in here about our defence but enough said. Hoppers had the elements and the lion’s share of possession but ever looked like scoring.
Full time – HI’s won 39-0.

Whilst the HI Forwards quite rightly take the largest slice of the cake for providing the platform for such a resounding success, it would be remiss of me not to mention that the backs really played their part. Lewis obviously finished the game with 29 points. Yet another outstanding display from ‘God’. The half backs controlled the game well. We handled the ball well in very poor conditions and out wide, we always looked dangerous. We need a special mention here for young Oliver Rimmington who looks better every time we see him and, he finally completed a full game for the 1stXV. To finish, I say well done to all involved!

All I would add to this is as I noted earlier, we are saving our best performances for when we are away from home or, for when we are playing the Clubs sitting above us in the league.

Following this fantastic away win, I will now make one request. Can we please see this form at home and give your home support something to really cheer about at our next home match.

The double over Hull would be a nice Xmas present for the whole Club!