Hull Ionians first match on their travels, up to Tynedale’s picturesque Corbridge ground, brought a comprehensive victory, 20 – 50.
By the time supporters had settled in their seats Ionians had opened the scoring. A line-out catch was driven forward before being swept smartly across the backline for Steve Slingsby to join the line and scythe his way through the static home defence to touch down. Isaac Green added the conversion and Ionians were 7 points to the good.
The visitors continued to move the ball wide but the slippery conditions and some miss directed passes thwarted their efforts.
The reliable Green drilled over a long range penalty and with Ionians enjoying the majority of possession it was no surprise when they extended the lead with another well executed try. A driving maul was taken to within 15m of the home line before being stopped illegally. Ionians elected to take a scrum and the ball was taken down the blind side with centre James Tinknell on hand to barge his way over. Green again added the extras; 13 minutes played and Ionians held a 17 point advantage.
The home side recovered from the opening onslaught and came more into the game, the forwards made yards with a series of pick and drives which brought them up into the Ionians 22 for the first time. Tynedale won a scrum and scrum- half Outson was given an age by the unusually somnolent Ionians backrow to pick out the onrushing centre, Tom Bramwell, to crash over for the hosts opening score.
Tynedale raised their efforts even more following the try and began to run the ball wide. They made little inroads against a solid defence, but Ionians fell foul of some pernickety officiating and conceded a penalty inside their 22. Tynedale, who were gaining the upper hand at the set piece, chose to scrummage and Outson again picked out a runner who went through some weak tackling to cross out wide. The hosts were back in the match, trailing by 10pts to 17.
With half time looming Ionians latched on to a mistake at a Tynedale line – out to re-assert themselves. Ben Stephenson ran around to the tail to gather an overthrow and drove into a back peddling defence. The ball was whipped across the field to Jerry Turagabeci out on the wing who had the presence of mind to thread a neat kick down the touchline for Lewis Minikin to run on to and dot down. Isaac Green, almost inevitably, added the difficult conversion. The whistle went for a half time score of 10 – 24.
Tynedale opened the second half with two quick scores. Revived by the 10 minute rest the home team caught Ionians napping with a quick tap penalty, moving it swiftly to the wing to race over. The pack then got in on the act with a push over try to claim a bonus point. Parker was having an off day from the tee, the only reason Tynedale weren’t now in front.
Ionians finally injected some impetus into their play. Lewis Minikin made a scintillating break and the support carried the ball up close to the line. Tynedale cleared to touch, the initial drive was held but from a resulting scrum Ed Falkingham, who was having a fine afternoon, drove through the first line of defence to supply a pass for Alex Torkington to score Ionians bonus point try.
Tynedale worked their way assiduously into the visitors 22 but lost possession for an Ionians scrum; Falkingham broke clear from the base and raced away, Minikin took over to carry the ball beyond halfway but the move broke down with poor hands putting the ball to ground, eventually ending in touch. A clean catch and drive from Ionians was finished off by Ben Stephenson, Green adding the goal.
With just over an hour gone Tynedale rallied for one final assault. Awarded a penalty, they kicked to the corner, won the line-out and drove hard for the line. They battered away but were facing a well-rehearsed and determined facet of the visitors game. Tynedale huffed and puffed but only succeeded in crabbing the ball across the field. They knocked on and the chance was lost. Falkingham again carried the ball away from the scrum, Minikin, again, took the ball over halfway before passing on to support. The ball was re-set and popped back out to Minikin. Give him an inch and he will take a yard, give him a yard and it is good-bye. He ghosted through a mesmerised midfield to race away and score.
It was all Ionians at this point. Ally Forth belied his rotund physique to skip and dance his way clear, James Sanderson was in support to keep the ball alive and Joe Makin appeared on his shoulder to take the pass and run in unmolested. Isaac Green capped an excellent individual performance, adding his seventh success of the afternoon to bring up Ionians half century, Tynedale 20 – I’s 50.
That was the conclusion to the scoring in an entertaining afternoon of rugby. Ionians greater experience and nous saw them through the first hour against a competitive Tynedale side before superior fitness allowed them to showcase some silky skills in the final quarter. It is early days in the new season but Ionians performance will have the rolling maul doubters rethinking their predictions for the coming weeks.