Newark u16's vs Hull Ionians u16's

Newark u16’s (the 2022 NLD Cup winners) were delighted to welcome Hull Ionians (2022 Yorkshire Cup runners-up) for the first time to Kelham Road, for what was expected to be a tough and challenging match for both teams.

A number of key late withdrawals in the Newark saw them take to the field on an unseasonable warm day with an unfamiliar back line.

From their kick off, Newark started strong winning the first breakdown and penalty of the game which Oscar M kicked well for the 5m touch in the Ionians 22. The lineout was well caught by Sam R who set up the well drilled driving maul leading to a try for Nate C which was converted by Oscar M for the perfect start to the game 7–0.

Ionians were not fazed by the early try and as was to be expected from their pedigree immediately came back from the restart and from a well taken scrum moved the ball out to the wing and ran through some poor Newark defence for the try and conversion to level the score at 7–7.

Ionians then followed up with intense pressure for the next 10 minutes with numerous attacks being repelled by the resolute Newark defence. Even a yellow for Newark for a dubious deliberate knock on did not allow a breach to occur. Ionian came close again with a deft kick over the Newark defence which they were first to chase with only a harsh bounce and the touch line saving the try.

Both sides rode their luck and only last-minute errors prevented each side from scoring and at half-time the score remain tied at 7-7.

The half-time talk was all about combating Ionians strengths by off-loading the ball before contact, securing the ball at the breakdown and anticipating the Ionians strong kicking game.

The second half was set up nicely to be a thriller with both teams evenly matched across the pitch and it started much the same as the first ended with both teams desperately trying to end the deadlock but often failing at the last hurdle through handling errors or stout defence, for example Spencer S-N preventing what seemed to be a certain Ionian try from a driving maul by getting his paws on their ball carrier and holding him up.

But 15 minutes in Newark’s injury woes continued as it lost Oscar M and Luke H in the Backs to further disrupt an already heavily disrupted Back-line. With now no recognised Stand-Off and missing a key Centre, Newark were forced into playing Blindside Flanker Henry A at his old u9’s position(!) of inside centre and he filled the role with aplomb.

Both sides had numerous late opportunities but could not eradicate the basic errors that had plagued the game. Newark tried every trick and even attempted a penalty kick from the halfway that almost succeeded.

But the deadlock that had existed from the first 10 minutes of the match could not be broken and both teams had to be content with the draw, in a game that whilst not a classic, was one that was played in the best of spirits and could easily have swung either way had a slight spark been kindled from either side.

Final score 7-7.

Written by Will Nicholson
Checked by David Hayle