24th November  2007 - Hull Ionians  3  Tynedale  8 - National 3 North     pictures     more pictures

This match was as tight as the score line suggests, but in reality Hull Ionians applied all of the first half pressure using the diagonal swirling wind and drizzle to good effect, but the conditions and their decision making did not help their handling either and they totally failed to turn pressure into points. Tynedale chose to kick the ball rather than run it for most of the match, but both sides frequently saw kicks ahead blown straight into touch creating a line-out back where they started.

An early drop goal attempt and an 11th minute penalty attempt by Chris Quinn both veered right of the posts in the wind, which also made it very difficult for Tynedale to clear their lines, but their defensive wall was rock solid. On 39 minutes as the wind began to ease as forecast, Tynedale made their first foray into the attacking half and gained a penalty when Hull Ionians failed to clear the ball after a tackle. Phil Belgian kicked the goal with ease to take a 3-0 lead when they should really have been 3 tries in arrears.

The second half saw both sides make ground into each others 22 as the defensive stalemate continued until the 68th minute when Tynedale scored after 3 scrums on the home 5 metre line. First Hull Ionians turned over the Tynedale scrum, then Tynedale spun Hull Ionians, then Tynedale attacked through their backs. The first wave ran at the posts to commit the cover, then quick ball moved it wide again and Ali Gray was in on the overlap to lead 8-0. Hull Ionians came straight back at Tynedale, who twice went offside in front of their posts, to ensure they stopped the wave attacks that should have scored, and in injury time conceded a simple penalty converted by Chris Quinn to at least take the loosing bonus point.