Hull Ionians 4s 7 Malton & Norton 3s 22
Pat Lane
Twenty-two players travelled to Hull Ionians and came away with an excellent win against an experienced competitive Ionians side.
The first 20 minutes were nip and tuck as each side tested the other, Malton’s pack gradually started to win the collisions and well lead by Watson, Lumley, North and company. A lapse in concentration allowed one of the strong running Ionians centres to run a try in from 30 metres, which was converted. This seemed to focus Malton’s efforts and they went back to simple rugby retaining possession and picking their opportunities to spread the ball wide, centres Harry Coulson and captain Collins started to make yards and were rewarded when Coulson ran in an excellent individual try, converted by No 8 Leon Cook. James Fox at 10 was now running the show and kicked and distributed very effectively. Malton lost evergreen Casey half-way through the first half and some reorganisation in the pack saw the powerful Adam Leckonby move to second row and replaced at prop by Eric Epic who had a fine game maintaining a solid set piece. Malton were rewarded with a penalty and up stepped John Eales Cook to coolly slot it over. Fox continued to be well served by scrum-half Matt Midgely and man of the match Coulson continued his hard running game scoring and excellent second try which was again converted by Cook.
Malton were leading by 17 points to 7 but Ionians were never going to give up and pinned Malton back in their own 22 for long periods, but excellent defence by forwards and backs alike kept Ionians scoreless in the second half. The back three of Chapman, Peckitt and Tunman coped very well with Ionians kicking, tidying up and running it straight back time and time again. Tunmans efforts were rewarded, and the speedy winger outpaced everyone and ran in an excellent try from almost 50 metres, up stepped Cook again who had another fine game but for this instance his Eales like magic deserted him and he missed the conversion, this was the final play of a very entertaining game with Malton thoroughly deserving their victory.
Coming away from Ionians with a win is never easy and this was an impressive display with some excellent performances and great to welcome some new players to the group. Special thanks should also go to O Shea, Thatcher and Marcucci who did not get a runout but willingly contributed running the line and supporting those on the field and to Lee Berkashe who came on for Ionians.
Malton 3s can carry on this impressive form when we entertain Bridlington at the Gannock on Saturday (2.15 kick off) and of course all are welcome to training on Tuesdays and Thursday at the club, 7pm start.
