Hull Ionians 57 v 29 Fylde.

Ionians have started the season with two victories against newly promoted teams but this fixture against old foes, Fylde, was the first opportunity supporters had to assess the team against quantifiable opposition. The Lancastrians come with a known DNA; there is always a Billy Whiz and although the players may change the pattern doesn’t; the rugby is fast and furious.
Fast and furious; 14 tries, both sides had a bonus point before half time, ( Ionians had two tries in the opening 10 minutes and Fylde four tries in a twenty minute passage of play). It was, however, not an exhibition match and the second half was an outstanding demonstration of the home sides determination, organization and technique in firstly quelling and then completely quashing the visitors efforts, particularly up front.
From a precarious four-point gap at the break Ionians established a virtually unassailable lead by the hour, and despite a response from Fylde, finished off with two more scores to record an emphatic win, 57 – 29.
Fylde hardly touched the ball in the opening exchanges and Ionians had a penalty try within the first five minutes, after a maul was illegally stopped close to the line. The scores then came quicker than Tim Vine’s one liners.
8mins - 7:5 MAGUIRE 9 (TRY)
10 mins - HYDE 8 (TRY) 12:5
13 mins - 12:10 SUTCLIFFE 2 (TRY)
Fylde’s opening try came straight from the re-start. The ball was fielded and taken into contact, it was then moved along the line to winger Will Kelso, ( the current incumbant Billy Whiz) who broke away down the wing, before chipping ahead. The ball could not have bounced any better for scrum-half Maguire, who didn’t break stride as he caught the ball and ran away to the line.
Anything Fylde could do I’s could do better (?). The visitor’s returned the re-start well into the host’s half, Mal Holden cleaned up the ball and ran through the covering backline on a 50 yard gallop. He drew his man and set young Rimmington away. He was pulled down just short but had support from the wily Joe Makin and he popped up a pass for Ben Hyde to steam on to and crash over close to the post.
Back came the Lancastrians. The ball ended in touch 10 yards from the home line, Fylde secured clean ball, got the drive on and rumbled over, hooker James Sutcliffe credited with the touch down.
There was a 10 minute wait for the next try. Fylde enjoyed a period of dominance and sorely tested the home defence. They finally got the reward for their efforts when Kelso collected a long pass to cross out wide. Dan Cassidy judged his kick well and Fylde took a 5 point lead, 12 – 17.
This was extended when Fylde scored the bonus point try five minutes later. Fylde were awarded a penalty close to the try line and Mike Walton took a quick tap and burrowed over the line to score, to give his side a 10 point cushion on the scoreboard.
Fylde were unlucky not to go further ahead as Ionians were left scrambling to clear the ball away from their try line, smashing it away off the post protectors, but they recovered well and were able to clear away up field.
Ionians put a penalty to the corner and a clean catch was driven on and over for a try for Oliver Arnold. Ben Smith judged the blustery conditions beautifully to land the conversion and Ionians closed the gap to two points.
They finished the half with their own bonus point try. Another catch and drive, assisted as it was by half the back-line, resulted in a second try for Arnold and a second goal for Smith. Half time Ionians 26 – 22 Fylde.
Another line-out catch and drive opened the scoring in the second half. It went to the hosts, and Arnold ( a hat-trick hero!). Ben Smith was again on form from the tee and Ionians stretched the lead to 11 points, 33 – 22.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, (I suspect those of a claret and gold persuasion don’t see it quite the same way) the execution of the line-out catch and drive has been developed to a fine art. Not too long ago Ionians couldn’t hit a barn door sat on the sneck, so much improved.
Ionians began to play with more freedom. Jack Howells went clattering into mid-field allowing Ionians onto the front foot and from the base of a dominant scrum Ben Smith put a kick over the defence for Holden to gather. He was stopped short of the line but Ben Hyde was on his shoulder to take the pass and barge over. Ionians were now two scores clear but still wary of this lively Fylde team.
If Fylde were hoping for some respite when Ionians replaced the front row, they were sadly disappointed. If anything, the dominance the hosts had established intensified.
On the hour Ben Hyde went over for his hat-trick, again it stemmed from a scrum penalty put into touch, followed on by a catch and drive. Smith struck another good conversion and Ionians were well clear, 45 – 22.
Fylde then showed why they are such a danger. Ionians were once again posing a threat on the Lancastrian’s line but were penalized as they drove for the line. A quick tap by Maguire fed on to Ben Turner and he was away, scorching 80 yards up the stand-side touch to score. Cassidy concerted to move the score to 45 – 29.
Ionians went back to what they did best and rammed home their forward superiority. Another penalty won at the scrum went to touch, up went Jack Gillingwater (who had a splendid game and really does look the part), on went the drive and over went Ben Stephenson. 50 – 29 with a little more than 10 minutes remaining.
Fylde continued to play expansive rugby but weren’t able to cut through the home sides tight defence. Ionians finished by showing there was more to their game than a catch and drive, though the final try started from a line-out. This time the ball was moved smartly in field where the industrious Hyde popped up to take a pass and power his way over between the posts. An easy conversion for Smith completed the scoring, the match and a very satisfying afternoon for the hosts.
Next week Ionians travel to Harrogate to take on the third of the promoted sides and they will reacquaint themselves with Greg and Lewis Minikin, which is nice.