Match Report: Hull Ionians 36 Wharfedale 23

Wharfedale recovered after a shocking first half to make the score look respectable. As bad as Dale played, Ionians upped their game and exploited every opportunity to add to their total and end the first half leading by 26 points to 6. Dale rallied in the second half and managed to score 3 tries.

Hull opened the scoring with simple good strong and direct running that was too much for the defence to cope with. George Mewburn touched down for an unconverted try. With the visitors spilling the ball far too much Hull scored their second try with some more powerful running from the halfway line. Will Yates scoring and Lewis Minikin adding the extras.

Then came a bright passage of play for Dale. Oscar Canny set up good field position and the move was taken up to I’s line only for the scoring pass to go forward. Rob Baldwin was, amazingly, the man in support who would have taken the scoring pass. Dale continued to dominate possession and territory but a long pass was telegraphed by Sam Pocklington who intercepted and ran 90 metres to touch down for a converted try.

Dale did get on the scoreboard with a penalty from Robbie Davidson. More sloppy play gave I’s possession in Dale’s half and again the home side took full advantage with a converted try by Sam Wilson. Dale got another three points on the board and the first half thankfully came to an end.

Hull took the kick-off at the start of the second-half but another mistake gave them the lineout on halfway as the ball went into touch off a Wharfedale player from the clearance. More of the same from Hull as they broke through and ended up with a fifth try converted by Minikin.

At last Dale had some better fortune and Canny broke away and ran in from halfway. Dale began to put some phases together and had an attacking line-out in I’s 22. A good catch and drive pinned the defence, and when the ball was moved left James Coulton crashed through to cross the whitewash. Davidson slotted the extras. Minikin added another penalty for Hull before Rhys Green scored Dale’s third try to end the match.

Many of the travelling faithful thought that the first half was one of the worst halves that they have witnessed. There is little to argue with that sentiment and the players will be wearing this result for a couple of weeks before the match against Hull RFC at the Avenue. I’s should be proud of their convincing performance. On a positive side there is not too much to put right to get Dale back on track, passing and handling is a basic skill that the Green Machine have executed superbly in the last few weeks.