On Saturday we bade a fond farewell to Dave Laverick, a first-rate player, an inherently positive individual and a proper Ponfretian; a top bloke. It was fitting that, for a man so involved in the recent success at the club, his final match should feature the highest score Ionians have ever registered, though Dave failed to trouble the scoreboard. He was never prolific.
We wish him all the best in his retirement from rugby. (?).
The game was the final fixture in the 22/23 season and it also marked the 100th appearance of top “Barista” Ben Bell. It has been a season that can be marked down as a success, having produced some exhilarating rugby, unearthed some talent for the future and a third place finish in the league.

Aided by the vagaries of the fixture matrix Ionians had a favourable finale to the season, which has led to an avalanche of tries in the last three matches. Twelve against Harrogate, nine against Tynedale and another dozen in this fixture against Blaydon.
It took eight minutes for I’s, and Ally Forth, to cross for the opening try. However, Blaydon did not look like a side who were relegated, certainly not during the opening exchanges. They were able to get up to and over the home line but were unable to get a clear grounding.
Ionians responded to the threat by producing some of the free-flowing rugby much in evidence in recent weeks, going through the gears to provide tries for Sam Wilson and George Mewburn, and they established a comfortable lead, 19 – 0, as the half hour approached.
Blaydon then claimed a try by Adam Turnbull, only for the ever-alert Sam Pocklington to chalk off the difference with a fine opportunist score. This also earned I’s a bonus point.
The hosts then demonstrated the down-side of their cavalier approach. An obvious, unnecessary and appalling pass was easily snaffled by winger Appleton who had a clear run to the line. Dan Marshall added his second successful conversion to bring the score back to 26 – 14.
With their tails up Blaydon grabbed a third try with James Cooney going over, following a spirited break from Ethan Lyon, and they went into the break much the happier side, even though they were still 7 points in arrears.
Tyler Heelas stretched the lead, and steadied the home sides nerves, when he cantered over for a try in the opening minute of the second half. Ben Smith enjoyed his fourth success off the tee to push Ionians further ahead, at 33 -19.
Blaydon refused to be shrugged off and Obonna Chidera, one of a number of talented players in the visitors’ side, made use of some woeful tackling to sprint away and score and earn Blaydon a point. Marshall’s goal brought the scores back to within one converted try.
Unfortunately, or fortunately depending upon your allegiance, this signalled the end of Blaydons’ resistance. It was all one way for the remainder of the match, with the hosts adding seven tries in the last half hour.
The manner of Ionians’ next try, the move of the match, probably broke the visitors’ resistance. Some lovely inter-passing and support play involving Josh Britton, James Thompson and Joe Makin (!) brushed aside the opposition and put Sam Wilson away for his second try of the match. When Ionians produce this sort of rugby, they are a different class.
Alan Hudson, “celebrating” his switch to hooker, then danced through for a try in the corner, well goaled by Smith, to put the hosts clear with a 45 – 26 score-line.
The half century came up when referee, Peter Jones, awarded Ionians a penalty try. I can’t say what it was for but Mr Jones has been good in the games he has officiated involving I’s this season, as he was in this match, so we must assume it was warranted.
Joe Makin, playing as well as ever, then grabbed a quick-fire brace. He popped up on the end of a flowing move for the first, before scoring a more orthodox forwards effort by barging over from close range.
Josh Britton crashed through some half hearted resistance to register Ionians eleventh try, leaving five minutes to see if Sam Wilson could complete his hat – trick and wrest the top try scorer title away from the absent Lewis Minikin.
By hook or by crook the hosts engineered the chance for Wilson to do the deed. As the clock ticked down Jack Townend broke through and drew his man before putting Sally’s lad away. He made no mistake and claimed the prize. Ben Smith, excellent from the tee in Minikin’s absence, slotted the conversion to take Ionians to a record points tally, 80 – 26, and bring down the curtain on another season.
I understand it was the last game for Ionians for Jack Townend and Tom Bullough. Jack has been top rate entertainment in his time at Brantingham Park and we wish him well in the future (except in games against I’s). Tom may well have succumbed to injury. He fancies a go at coaching, again we wish him every success. With the same attitude and approach to such a role as he had to playing, success will doubtless follow.
That’s it from me.

Just to prove it’s prose not poetry, Gentlemen –
There was a prop forward called Dave,
Who pulled into a garage in Cave.
He filled up his tank,
Thought “Oh, what a plank,
I’ve bought diesel instead E5!”
A poet? Not guilty, m’lud!