U13 York vs Hull Ionians (Home)

A few injuries, illnesses and clashing events had reduced the York turn-out to the minimum 15 players. Good turnout from the visitors, who had brought a large squad and plenty of supporters.

I am holding fire this morning on observations of the York parental crew, in full expectation of there being a myriad of tales to tell next weekend when we set off on “An Unexpected Journey” loosely organised by our local friendly Hobbit.

On with the Game.

First Half

Hull kick-off, but the ball doesn’t carry 10m, so it’s an early scrum to York on half-way, which they win. Nice kick upfield to the Hull 10m line by Ben; Hull kick it back and it’s well caught by Jay, and York take play into the Hull half. Penalty to York at the Hull 10m line, but the advantage is lost when York knock-on in the attack 20m into Hull territory. Hull win their first scrum, and kick the ball back into the York half. Cleanly caught by Tom, who then runs it back. Passage of good contested play by both sides between their 10m lines, testing and looking for the break.

Scrum to Hull at the York 10m line, which they win and press the York defence hard, pushing play on towards the York 22m line. Hull infringe and York get some relief from the attack with a scrum, which they win and kick the ball upfield. A line-out to York around half-way is lost, but in the resulting scramble the ball is kicked along the ground up to the Hull 22m line with a mass chase. York get a scrum at the Hull 22m line, which although they win does not get them further in attack as Hull show some good counter-rucking skills to take possession of the ball again, and play moves back up to the half-way line. Hull knock-on, just past half-way; York don’t win their scrum though. Then Hull make a break across pitch all the way to the York 22m line; Steele saves the try with a great tackle, and Ben clears the ball back to half-way. York testing the Hull defence now, with first a break by Toby, then as the ball comes across the pitch Harry and Tom combine in an attack; good defending by the visitors though. High tackle by Hull and York get a penalty 10m from the Hull try-line. It’s kicked to touch and York have a good attacking line-out position. Frustratingly they don’t win the line-out though, and Hull clear the ball back to their 22m line. Hands in the ruck by Hull, and York kick the penalty to touch; again York can’t win their line-out though (maddening). Hull kick the ball upfield to their 10m line, but Tom catches it and runs it back. Hull are following up well, and regain the ball, then run from half-way to open the scoring (0-5); converted (0-7).

York restart, and Hull run it straight back. Great tackle by Tom around half-way to stop the Hull attack. York get a line-out soon after, which they win this time, playing ensuing around half-way. Hull try another break from half-way, but it’s that man Tom again who is having a great game and stops them at the York 22m line. York clear the ball upfield, but Hull are straight back; this time it’s Finn who makes the try saving tackle. After a tussle between the two teams the ball comes loose and wide, and Hull get to it first to collect it and get another try (0-12); converted (0-14).

York restart, but knock-on in the follow-up. Scrum to Hull about 20m into their half, which they win, but then infringe and York get a scrum at the Hull 22m line; the scrum is reset and York win it. Hull very determined though and get the ball a back and nearly break through the defence again, but knock-on. Half Time.

Second Half

York kick-off the second half. Hull run it straight back, with a nice off-load form the ball carrier to a supporting player, who runs it from half-way to add to the score in the first minute of the half (0-19); no conversion.

York restart, and play is around the Hull 10m line; some loose play by York is not making it easier for them to get back into the game. Leo runs it on to the Hull 22m line. Ben chips the ball over the Hull defence to the try area, but Leo can’t get there to nail it. Will S tackles the Hull player though, and York get a scrum 5m out, which they win. Toby nearly breaks through the Hull defence, and then finally Andre manages to get the back across the line in the corner (5-19); no conversion.

Andre retires injured and Hull kindly lend us a player to make the numbers back to 15.

Hull restart play, and chase the ball all the way through to 10m from the York try-line. Hull knock-on 5m out though, and fortunately York win their scrum and relieve the pressure with a kick to their 22m line by Ben. Penalty to York (Hull playing the ball on the ground in the ruck), which is kicked upfield and chased by Leo; unfortunately he’s tackled into touch. Hull line-out at their 10m line, but they don’t get to take it (discipline?), and York are awarded a scrum at the Hull 10m line. York win this and Leo makes a run across field and up, but is tackled. Knock-on by York though and Hull get a scrum 10m from their try-line, which they win and clear the ball from. York work the ball back up. Toby nearly gets through, but is tackled 10m from the Hull try-line; Leo runs the ball across field and passes to Barney who scores in the corner (10-19); no conversion (hit crossbar).

Hull restart. York take the ball back up, and are working hard to try and get another break-through. The ball is kicked up into the Hull half, but is once again run all the way from half-way by Hull to score (10-24); converted (10-26).

York restart. Hull catch it cleanly and take play back to half-way; nice maul by Hull. York get a penalty though around half-way (hand in ruck by Hull); Hull are sent back another 10m, and York take the penalty again. Another penalty to York (coming in at the side of the ruck by Hull). York not able to find a way through the Hull defence though.

Line-out to Hull around half-way, but the ball doesn’t go 5m, and York get the scrum, which they win. Ben kicks it to the Hull 22m line. York get a line-out just inside the Hull half, but they lose it. Then Toby intercepts a pass and breaks towards the try-line; nearly gets there, but is tackled. Penalty to York in the last minute of the game, 10m from the Hull try-line, and at last Ben gets through (15-26); no conversion. Full time.

Final Score York 15-26 Hull Ionians

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