Hull Ionians 29 v 31 Wharfedale.

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Ionians came out on the wrong side of a close result, falling two points short in a keenly contested competition. It was another game of fine margins; perhaps Ionians weren’t as precise or composed as they have been recently and one could also say it was a case of biter bit, as the Greens put in the kind of defensive effort, particularly in the second half, we have become accustomed to seeing from the home side. No matter, it was another compelling, entertaining match.
Wharfedale took an early lead. They moved the ball out wide for wingman Jack Terry, he found good support on his inside shoulder from Callum Trees and he powered over. Archie Haddon was unfortunate to see his touchline effort come back off the posts, 0 – 5 to the Greens.
It didn’t take long for the hosts to fashion a response. Ionians took a line-out ball, on went the drive and George Mewburn emerged from the melee with the score. 5 -5 with barely five minutes played.
Wharfedale were soon back into the Ionians 22 and Jack Pinder ran on to a short pass to power over, this time Haddon knocked over the kick, bouncing it over off the inside of the up-right. 5 – 12 after ten minutes.
George Mewburn sustained a serious injury (we wish him a speedy and full recovery) which necessitated a break in play, and not long into the resumption Sam Pocklington grabbed Ionians’ second try.
Sam Edwards had cantered up to the ‘dale 22 to put the home side into a good position. Poor retention gave Wharfedale a scrum which allowed them to clear to touch. Ionians won the line-out and Greg Minikin charged into contact. Pocklington was quick to the breakdown and he pirouetted round one man before scurrying away to score. Ben Smith added the extras to tie the scores, 12 – 12, half way through the first session.
Ionians were soon back into the dale 22. They used an effective driving maul to get the ball over the line but the Greens ensured that it was held up, to give them a drop out from under the posts.
It sailed out as far as Greg Minikin, who ran it back with interest. The ball was shipped out smartly to Mal Holden, who saw off all comers on a 30 yard dash to the line. Smith was again successful off the tee and Ionians were up by 7 points, 19 – 12.
‘Dale hit back, with Oliver Cicognini dummying his way clear and up to the home 22. Play broke down, with Ionians knocking on, and from the resulting scrum young scrum-half, Idris Morgan, intelligently picked out Trees as he cut through, untouched, to the line. The conversion went begging but the lead was cut to two points, 19 – 17, with half an hour gone.
Play ebbed and flowed, but perhaps not with the fluidity that implies. This was best illustrated by the balletic Burnhill, normally poetry in motion, who chased after his own volley, stumbled as he gathered the ball and flapped and floundered his way over. More Muscovy duck than Swan Lake, but not to worry, they all count, Cam.
Half time with the score nicely poised, 24 – 17.
Ionians looked to have extended their lead right at the start of the second half. Holden broke clear and got to with inches of the line. Pocklington swung a pass in field to Owen Hanson- Church (I think) who slid in under the posts. Unfortunately, the pass was adjudged forwards.
Ionians piled on the pressure. They came close to another try but were tackled into touch just inches short. There was little relief for Wharfedale; an isolated run up the touch by Jack Cherry was as good as it got for twenty minutes for the Greens but the hosts failed to press home the advantage, conceding too many penalties and gradually Wharfedale began to come more into the game.
A penalty found touch just outside the 22 and ‘dale went through the phases, Trees gathered a loose ball and powered over, seeing off some less than convincing tackles. He converted his own hat-trick try to tie the scores at 24 all.
Smith shanked a penalty attempt well wide but Wharfedale failed to tidy up and were forced to drop out from behind the line. It fell to Adam Brankley and he clattered into contact. Dale were penalised at the breakdown and Ionians went to the corner.
A clean catch was driven on and Brankley broke from the maul to plunge over and restore the lead, 29 – 24.
Within minutes the Greens were in a similar position, 5 yards out with a line-out to come. A clean take was rumbled on and replacement hooker, Robbie Collinson was on hand to dot down.
Up stepped tall Trees to stroke over the touchline conversion and put the visitors two points in from with ten minutes to play.
In truth Ionians never looked like scoring in the time remaining and Wharfedale put in a text book example of how to keep possession and run down the clock. They kept hold of the ball as if their lives depended on it.
So, some you win and some you lose. Ionians had plenty of chances to build an unassailable lead in the second half but either didn’t take them or were rebuffed by a determined opposition. That’s how it goes sometimes.