U13 Yorkshire Cup 3rd Round York vs Hull Ionians (Home)

Mr Harrison felt it was an appropriate day to dress like an Expendable or Tropic Thunder reject; it was noticeable that his long-suffering parents and Mrs H showed their approval by maintaining a healthy distance from Arnie Schwarzkopf. (Un)Fortunately a liberal application of deep heat from Mr Barker’s magic medical bag prevented hypothermia setting in.

On with the Game, with a semi-final Cup place at stake.

First Half

York k/o and take the play into the Ionians half for a few minutes, probing for a way through their sturdy defence. Leo and Tom combine excellently and fire the ball across to Barney who’s in open space, but unfortunately there’s a knock-on. Scrum to Hull around their 10m line, and they turn it into a break towards York territory, but Andre stops them at the half-way line. Ionians get the first penalty of the match, but York are back at them with Tom, Leo, and a few others combining well. A penalty to York and the ball is sent deep back into Hull territory. Hull work it back, but then Tom make a break through their line and heads off on a 50m dash towards the try line; he passes the ball across, and it looks as though York have opened the score, but it’s judged to be held-up. Scrum to York 5m out; Hull defend really well and move the ball back up towards their 10m line. Couple of mauls from both sides, and play now more in the York half. Penalty to Hull and they kick it to the York 22m line; Hull line-out. Then York are awarded a penalty and kick it to about 20m from their try-line; York line-out is tipped back by Fraser and York set up a maul. Ionians manage to hold the maul up though and get a scrum, and then a penalty as York infringe at their 22m line. Nail biting stuff. Tom takes the ball and runs about half the length of the pitch again, kicking the ball in front of him. He gets to the try-line but can’t get it over; the York support catches up, but then are penalised for coming in from the side of the ruck. Hull take their penalty from the try-line to clear their lines.

York Forwards are working hard to keep the pressure on Hull, with a terrific contest going on between the sides at the Hull 22m line. The York pressure pays off and they get a penalty about 20m from the Hull try-line, which they kick to touch about 7m from the try-line. York line-out, and there a ruck going on 5m out. Fraser picks it from the back of the ruck, but two Hull defenders quickly jump onto him. He carried the ball and defenders to the line, blasts through two other defenders and slaps the ball down to open the scoring (5-0); no conversion.

Hull restart, and York have to defend a series of attacks. Will S makes a swerving run to try and get play back into the Hull half, but Hull come back again and its desperate stuff from York to hold them out. Eventually Hull are rewarded for their persistence and get through the line to score and level things up (5-5); no conversion.

York restart, and play continues around the half-way line as both sides tussle to get the advantage. Harry makes a great run deep into Hull territory, but unfortunately is stopped. Half time.

Second Half

Hull k/o to start the second half; Ben kicks it back deep; York have the advantage of the wind behind them this half. Leo chases Ben’s kick, and puts pressure onto the Hull defence a few metres out. Andre then collects the ball 5m out and dashes through to score (10-5); no conversion.

Hull restart, and York look as though they’ve moved up a gear now. Great pressure onto the Hull defence by York. Another piece of good rucking by York a few metres from the Hull try-line, and Fraser is looking for a repeat of the first half as he collects the ball and barges his way through a few Hull defenders and over the try-line. It looks like he’s scored, but is adjudged to have been held-up. Not to worry though as Leo goes through soon after to take the score on again (15-5); no conversion.

Hull restart, and are pressing hard to close the score line. Andre manages to clear the ball to half-way; the Hull line-out is not straight and York get the scrum. Tense play – all the parents are feeling the emotion coming from the pitch. Ben puts a great tackle in to save a dash down the wing by Hull. Andrew clears the ball to the Hull 22m line. The Hull line-out is not straight and York get another scrum, but unfortunately they then knock-on to lose the advantage. Hull’s turn for a scrum, but fast thinking by Will S and he steals the ball, passing it off to Will K who takes play further on into Hull territory; the Hull defence force a knock-on though. Hull scrum 7m out, and Will K again looking to take it on, but thwarted.

Both sides furiously trying to get and maintain the upper hand, but penalties either way as tiredness creeping in. Andre kicks the York penalty to 7m from the Hull try-line to set-up another attack position. Hull come back though, and York are stopped. Play back at half-way, and Andre kicks the ball into open space about 5m from the Hull try-line; Leo chases hard after it, and catches the Hull defender before he gets any support; penalty to York for not releasing, 5m from the Hull try-line, with not too much time left on the clock.

Fraser takes the penalty and sets up a maul a couple of metres out. Will K comes off the back of the maul and dashes through (20-5); no conversion.

Hull restart, and York kick it straight back and chase it quickly to catch the Hull defence on the floor not releasing. It’s full time. Phew emotionally draining stuff for everyone, and what a terrific game between these two teams.

Congratulations to both sides for a hard fought, tiring and good-spirited match.

Final Score York 20-0 Hull Ionians