Bitterley cold and blustery conditions, made for difficult handling at Brantingham Park, where Driffield were the visitors. Ionians were well under strength with no less than 10 regulars out of the starting line up, either through holiday commitments or injuries, and it showed in what was a scrappy game.

Ionians had a lot of territorial advantage in the first half, but were constantly falling foul of the referees whistle, at crucial times, thereby losing momentum and giving Driffield the opportunity to clear there lines. Scrums were keenly contested , and given the numbers completed during the game, the crowd started to get a real insight into the real technicalities of what can and cannot be done in the scrum.

Ionians dominated at the line outs to regain possession throughout the first half, good hands from Marshall and Will Robinson, but couldn't capitalise into points as the referees whistle pea took a real battering.

As the half progressed, a break from Driffield led to a penalty in front of the posts which Driffield took the opportunity to lead 3 to 0, which was the half time score.

in essence the game was over in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Initial break and run from James Malcolmson took Ionians up the pitch to Driffield's line, and when Driffield had the throw in for a line out on their 10 yard line, Malcolmson's catch, pass to Will Rob, who passed inside to Marshall to score from 2 yards. Conversion missed 5 to 3 In favour of Ionians.

Driffield's defence was immediately broken from the restart, when Charlie Kirk caught the restart, passed to. James. Malcolmson, who broke some tackles and ran the ball in to score under the posts, conversion completed by James Magee 12 to 3.

Further breaks from Joe W, James Magee, pushed Ionians to the try line, but they weren't able to convert as the penalty count stacked up against them.

The remainder of the game proved scrappy with constant breaks to practice scrums, however a consolation try for Driffield was scored in the corner on the stroke of full time, to make the final score 12 to 8 in favour of Ionians.

Well played to both teams, but boy how those rugby rules got in the way of a flowing game.

Tries : Marshall Holgate, James Malcolmson
Conversion : James Magee
Man of Match : Tom Vasey

Hull Ionians RUFC

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