Sheffield 26 v 17 Hull Ionians.

Report sponsored by John Dobson Ltd

Ionians’ first game of 2026, against table toppers Sheffield, ended in defeat and brought an end to a commendable four-match winning streak. The match was a close-run thing, closer than the scoreline suggests, and had the visitors made more of a lively opening, when they should had crossed for a try (and could have gone over twice), the result may have been different.
As it was, Ionians only had three points to show for their early effort and Sheffield steadily took control of as the first half progressed. By the break they had established an 18-point lead and confidently looked forward to maintaining their seasons 100% record in the second half.
The hosts got a rude awakening; it was Ionians who came out after the break and took control. They kept the home side camped in their own half and without meaningful possession.
Ionians cut the deficit to four points around the hour mark, but were unable to deny Sheffield and the mercurial Hooper, who broke clear up the stand-side touch to score the decisive try, with five minutes remaining.
The early exchanges dispelled concerns Ionians had surrounding the line-out, but exposed deficiencies at scrum time.
From the off they forced play into touch, took clean ball from a throw and drove on for the line. Play broke down but Ionians were awarded a penalty and Ben Smith knocked over the chance, for the lead, with a minute gone. A good start.
From the re-start Ionians abdicated responsibility for the ball and Sheffield pounced and took play up into the visitor’s 22. They bullied Ionians at the scrum and scrum-half Fisher scurried up the blind-side to score. Callum Posa converted to put the home side 7 -3 up.
It seemed like a minor blip for Ionians, as they brought play back to the clubhouse end. A chance for another three points was spurned in pursuit of a bigger prize and Smith put the penalty to touch. Ionians won the line-out but were penalised at the breakdown and Sheffield cleared their lines.
That was as close as Ionians got for the rest of the half. Sheffield parked themselves in the Ionians half and subjected them to a bit of a pounding in the set piece.
Kam Tuvotu was brought on to shore up a creaking scum and though it was relatively successful it couldn’t do anything to prevent the second try for Sheffield .
Christian Hooper, the most prolific player in N2N, stepped up to score a fine individual effort, running in from 40m and bumping off a couple of tacklers on the way. Posa slotted over the conversion for a 14 – 3 lead.
It was a well-constructed team effort that brought the third try on the stroke of half time. Ionians had done well to hold the home side out with some outstanding defence, however pressure eventually told.
Following yet another scrum Fisher picked out Cameron Catleugh cutting in off his wing and he scythed through on a diagonal run to finish off under the posts. It could have done without the theatrical dive but that’s my opinion and Pollock’s influence for you. Posa completed the extras and the half. Sheffield repaired to the changing rooms 21 -3 to the good and firmly in the driving seat.
It's difficult to know what was said at half time but it’s doubtful that the Sheffield coach said “relax, you’ve got this in the bag” anymore than Mal Holden would have voiced any suggestion of surrender. Whatever was discussed, there was a complete turn of fortunes in the opening thirty minutes of the second half.
The Ionians forwards, lighter and slighter than their opposite numbers, took play to the Sheffield pack remorselessly and had both the home team and the partisan home support turning on the hapless officials.
All eight of the Ionians pack were immense, all worthy of praise, but it was the unassuming Sam Edwards who metaphorically stood above the rest. What a shift he put in.
The fightback bore fruit in the 55th minute when Kobby Fofie latched on to a pass from Adam Brankley, neatly slipped free as he was tackled, and Fofie sprinted away to the posts, sliding over to avoid his chasers. Ben Smith popped over the conversion to cut the deficit to 21 – 10.
The visitors continued to dominate play. From a scrum on the Sheffield 22 Sam Pocklington spun the ball across the field and via Smith and Jack Townend found Jimmy McDaniel on the wing. He stepped inside the fullback and slid over close to the flag. A good conversion from Smith brought Ionians to with a score at 21 – 17.
Sheffield realised their predicament and tried to increase the tempo and intensity. Initially they got little change from their opponents but as the clock ticked down, they managed to break out of their own half and it was that man again, Hooper, who broke free down the stand - side to cross for his second try and earn the league leaders a valuable five points.
Ionians raised one last effort to secure a bonus point but the home side held firm and thwarted that limited ambition. A point was the least the magnificent second half endeavours warranted, but as we saw, you don’t always get what you deserve.