Hull Ionians 10 v 58 Cinderford

The performance and result of Saturdays fixture against Cinderford followed an all too familiar, and depressing, pattern. It was rather like watching any episode of the long running drama Holtby City/Casualty. You already know the plot, the cast and, with only slight variations, the outcome but for some unfathomable reason you continue watching, week in, week out.
That loyalty may be beginning to wane, with long standing stalwart supporter, Ken Adamson, suggesting mid-way through the second half that it may be time to go across and watch Hull Roundheads on the other pitch (I paraphrase, but you get the drift). It was tantamount to suggest switching over to Channel 4 for Love Island.
Cinderford were on the scoreboard as early as the fourth minute, when clean line-out ball was driven on and over for No. 8, Harry Hone, to touch down. Ionians responded with some adventurous open rugby and should have scored, only for the final pass to go wayward. As they continued to press down in the Cinderford 22 an attempted kick was charged down, fortuitously falling into the hands of one the Cinderford backline, and they raced away up field with winger Tovey dotting down.
With the pack solid in the scrum, Tyler Heelas providing ample possession from the line-out and James Sanderson winning the battle at the breakdown Ionians were able to push Cinderford back into their 22. Several sorties from the forwards were repelled so Ionians chose to move the ball away from the breakdown. It only got as far as Sam Crane at fly – half; with the route to the wings blocked he turned back inside and jinked his way through a crowded defence before diving over for a fine individual try. Max Titchener provided the extras and the hosts narrowed the score to 7 – 10.
Ionians enjoyed a purple patch and should have added to their tally. Two clean breaks from Lewis Minikin deserved better but he was culpable of delaying the pass and they came to nought. Ionians did tie the scores with a long-range penalty from Titchener and though they had to repel a concerted effort from the visitors just before the break, fuelled by a plethora of penalties, they survived to oranges all square.
And so, to the second half. Cinderford started with a bang, Ionians conceded a penalty in front of the posts and Tovey dually obliged with the goal, the visitors were back in the lead, 10 – 13.
From the re-start Cinderford stole possession and rangy centre, Will Mansfield, easily broke through the mid-field before putting full-back Ed Sheldon away to score.
In what became one-way traffic Cinderford added tries with monotonous regularity. Tovey stood up a would-be defender before rounding him and passing to Hone to score his second and Cinderford’s fourth, the bonus point try.
They added five more with Ionians unable to stem the flow. It was calamitous by the hosts, though they did rally late in the game, with George Mewburn and Ben Bell reminding Cinderford there was still some opposition on the pitch, but it was too little and much too late.
Rotherham Titans are up next week. A local derby with only pride to play for. Oh dear.