National Division Two North
Hull Ionians 31 – Hull RUFC 48
Brantingham Park
Saturday September 12th 2009
Newly-promoted Hull RUFC visited Brantingham Park for their first away game of the new season on the back of a very good opening 31-25 win over Fylde last Saturday.
Hull continued their good form with a superb victory in a very competitive and hard-fought game before a large crowd.
An intense start saw Hull concede a penalty early on with Iain Gordon on form to convert from his own half.
Hull struck back and strong running by the backs was finished off with an unconverted try from Russell Westcott.
Shortly afterward a returned Ionians clearance kick was flicked up from the tackle and Tevita Vaikona was clear for a 60-metre solo try which was converted by James Cameron.
The Ionian’s rhythm was twice disrupted twice as Adam Thomas had to leave the field for a blood njury and then they lost the pace of Danny Smith who sustained a back injury.
Hull were penalised for collapsing the scrum and Gordon kicked another penalty from 50 metres to keep his side in the game.
Another break by Vaikona forced a penalty and an attacking line-out from which Ben Wade was forced over the line with the try converted by Cameron.
Offside on the loose ball by Vaikona saw the reliable Gordon land his third penalty of the game.
Hull went further ahead when they broke from a mid-field following a line-out and powerful back play ended with a chip and chase try for Westcott which Cameron converted to make it 26-9.
Another penalty gave Ionians an attacking position but foul play denied a possible try for Thomas and saw Hull a man down as Lawrence Pearce was given 10 minutes in the bin.
The second half saw Ionians make a very good start with Hill receiving the ball before crashing through to send James Liddle on to use his power to score.
Five minutes later they struck again with Thomas darting through from a scrum 30 metres out.
Gordon converted and Ionians were back in the game at 26-21.
Two home yellow cards within a minute, Mark Wigham for foot-work and Adi Longbone for off-side in the line-out, allowed Hull to get back in the driving seat.
From an attacking line-out Hull again drove Ben Wade over for an unconverted try in the corner and the visitors led by 31-21.
A midfield flare-up saw Hull penalised allowing Gordon to land his fourth penalty of the game but soon afterwards Hull’s powerful back play was launched again from quick line-out ball, creating space for Robin Kitching to score a try, converted by Cameron to take the score to 38-24.
Fifteen minutes later after a line-out drive was held, quick hands saw Alex Piercy race over for a try converted by Cameron, who shortly afterwards landed a penalty goal to put Hull in command at 48-24.
Ionians had the last word when they ran a penalty award and good support play was completed by a try for Joe Wright which was converted by Gordon.
Overall, the Ionians forwards gained the upper hand in the scrum but the Hull backs showed their class when they had the ball.
The running of Tevita Vaikona created a constant threat and space, coupled with good passing at pace providing the finish.
Hull will have been delighted with the finishing power their backs provided while the Ionians coach Mick Watson can take heart from a good display by his forwards.
Both sides achieved good ball retention in the second phase but the ability of Chris Murphy and Dan Cook to slow the ball down denied Ionians quick ball, while when Hull had the power the quick running of their backs proved to be the match winner.
The Hull side on that day were;
G. Martinson, R. Kitching, T. Vaikona, A. Piercy, R. Westcott, J. Cameron, M. White, J. Ward, S. Plevey, K. Fullman, C. Murphy, D. Cook, B. Wade, R. Devonshire and L. Pearce. Subs; A. Gravil, J-P. Pretorious, C. Harding, O. Norman and A. Campbell.
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 