Ionians in derby-day demolition job in Hull

■By RICHARD GORE

Hull…………………. 18pts

Hull Ionians……55pts

THIS derby game was settled by half-time as a rampant Hull Ionians gave Hull a lesson in both defence and attack.

Hull Ionians coach Colin Maden said his players worked hard to execute their plan leaving the emotion of the day out of the equation and he said it had worked.

Hull started slightly the better side in terms of field position, using the breeze to the advantage, with their full-back Reece Dean slotting over two well-struck penalties to see Hull ahead 6-0 after five minutes.

A minute later, Hull Ionians produced a move that was to epitomise their work for the rest of the after noon. A line-out deep in Hull’s half was carried forwards powerfully and as Hull’s defence was breached, a simple pass to Hull Ionians flanker James Sanderson saw him touch down near the posts with full-back Lewis Minikin adding the conversion.

Hull then missed a penalty that would have put them back into the lead and then immediately had a kick charged down in their own 22-metre area, with James Sanderson on hand to gather and score with Minikin adding the conversion.

After 17 minutes Hull scored a great solo try when scrum-half Harvey Harding took a quick-tap penalty and dummied his way past three defenders to race 40 yards and score.

However, it was Harding’s counterpart Sam Pocklington who scored next after 24 minutes making best use a good forward drive by the Ionians pack to run through a large gap in Hull’s defence to score his side’s third try with Minikin adding the conversion.

After 35 minutes Minikin put his side further ahead with a well-struck penalty goal. Pocklington then grabbed his second try after Hull failed to gather a high ball on the halfway line and could only watch as the visitors raced away with good handling skills to put their scrum-half over for yet another converted try.

With Hull looking shell-shocked, Ionians took full advantage as winger Jimmy McDaniel eased his way past three missed tackles to touch down for an unconverted try to see his side in a dominant position at half-time leading 34-13 .

The second half could not have started worse for Hull. Despite bringing on powerful prop Charlie Beech, they were unable to stop a further try being scored after just 47 minutes when a deft chip through Hull’s defence saw Minkin collect and touch down under the posts for a fine try which he converted.

An unconverted try from Hull’s Beech after 57 minutes was not much consolation for Hull as the visitors reasserted control with three Minikin penalties and a good individual try by Will Yates who ran past three after to see his side overwhelm Hull by 55-18.

REFEREE: Henry Pearson

ATTENDANCE: 457

Star man

Kobie Fofie -Hull Ionians