Hull Ionians are at home to Tynedale with 230 sitting down for the Presidents pre-match Charity Lunch. This year our chosen Charity is the very worthy SANDS (Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Society) with the players wearing the special charity shirts.

There are two changes in the starting line-up and one on the bench this week. Toni Kuku is away in London and Mark Wigham is taking a well-earned rest. We welcome Sam Rees back on the wing and Ed Falkingham returns at no 8. Luke Thundercliffe comes in on the bench in place of Jerry Turagabeci.

15 Steve Slingsby; 14 Samuel Wilson; 13 Lewis Minikin; 12 Billy Hardy; 11 Sam Rees; 10 Tom Stephenson; 9 Sam Crane; 1 Ben Carlile; 2 Ben Stephenson; 3 Ben Bell; 4 Joe Makin; 5 James Newman; 6 Ben Whyte; 7 James Sanderson (c); 8 Ed Falkingham; 16 Dave Laverick; 17 Adam Brown; 18 Lewis Wilson; 19 Morgan Bunting; 20 Luke Thundercliffe.

Hull Ionians have played Tynedale 27 times in the 29 years since we were formed, probably more games for I’s than with any other club. Both clubs were in North One together until Tynedale finally climbed out in 2000. Hull Ionians followed them 2 years later when the third surviving founder member of this league Wigton also left it, but in the other direction. 2008 saw Tynedale go up once more, I’s joining them for one season 5 years later in 2013/14, but after a 4 year gap, this year both of us are together again in National 2 North.
Our early fixtures for many years were hard front row contests with Tony Rice and Karl Wigglesworth having a tussle with the Parker brothers. Our first fixture as Hull Ionians in October 1989 was an epic encounter at Elloughton with Hull Ionians winning 6-3, Andy Jenkinson kicking two first half penalties to one by the Tynedale fullback. The second half had plenty of action and tension but no further scores. This was one of only 3 I’s victories over Tynedale in North One, Tynedale winning 11 with one action packed draw with a score of 33 all in December 1997. I’s scored 4 tries through Neil Windas, Mark Swift, Richard Jones and John McCracken, Neil Wardrobe converting 2 plus 3 penalties. Tynedale scored 3 tries through Jake White, Fergus Mitchel and Alan Moses with Richard Cramb, who had 4 Scotland Caps, kicking all his goals, 3 conversions, 3 penalties and a drop goal.
When we met again between 2002 and 2014 Tynedale continued their winning habit, winning 9 of the 11 matches between us, I’s gaining a couple of home wins but until we met this September at Tynedale, Tynedale had never lost to I’s at home, an impressive record.