Hull Ionians were distinctly flattered by their winning score when they came to Harrogate in October. Harrogate therefore made the trip to Brantingham Park with high hopes of reversing the result but can have no complaints about being soundly beaten by the better side. There was little consolation from the fact that the Ionians’ key player was probably Harrogate’s home grown Lewis Minnikin.

Harrogate had “Storm Malik” at their backs in the first half and this certainly created handling difficulties for both sides. They were further handicapped by losing Harry Barnard, their most experienced back, from an ankle injury after only 2 minutes play. Harrogate fielded 2 debutants in Cameron Bainbridge at full back and flanker Will Hill and their performances promised well for the future.

After an evenly contested 30 minutes, Ionians winger, Cam Burnhill set the game alight with a storming 60 metres run from defence but the move ended with a forward pass. A huge Rory MacNab clearance kick led to an Ionians defensive line-out but Harrogate were penalised, Ionians cleared and set up an attacking line out from which prop, Ben Bell drove over for the game’s opening try. Needless to say, Minnikin converted.

In an almost carbon copy, Harrogate then set up a 20 metres driving maul but were penalised and the kick led to an Ionians attacking line-out. Again, Bell drove over for another converted try to make it 14-0 at the interval.

From the restart, Ionians extended their lead with a converted try from centre, Josh Britton. Harrogate then had a purple patch of play which gave the visiting supporters real hopes of a recovery. Attacking scrums put Ionians on the back foot, they were penalised and conceded a yellow card. Another big Harrogate scrum followed and Dec Thompson powered over for a try converted by Ben Raubitschek. Minutes later, the Ionians scrum was driven back and they were penalised. A Harrogate attacking line-out followed and Thompson again scattered defenders aside for another converted try. This made it 21-14 and there were real hopes of a Harrogate recovery.

20 minutes into the half, Ionians opted for a scrum from a penalty, drove Harrogate backwards and Bell’s converted try completed his hat trick. More was to follow. An attempted Harrogate clearance was gathered cleanly, Ionians attacks followed and Britton scored his second try. With the strong wind behind them, the Ionians pressure mounted and 2nd row captain Joe Makin burst through for a converted try. Ionians’ final try came from quickly spread ball from which Jack Townend, their outstanding full back, made the extra man to score.

Hull Ionians
Townend, Burnhill, Minnikin, Britton, N Hill, Smith, Metcalf, Laverick, Stephenson, Bell, Makin, Peters, Hudson, Powell, Mewborn. Subs:- Morton, Campbell, Heelas, McDaniel, Kirk

Harrogate
Bainbridge, Yates, Barnard, Cummins, Parry, MacNab, Raubitschek, Percival, Maycock, Baxter, Kitching, Brady, Dodds, W Hill, Edwards. Subs:- Mason, Fradgley, Thompson, Keith, Edwards

Referee : Nathan Howarth (RFU)
Report by Bill Barrack