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26th January 2008 - Hull Ionians 35 West Park 19 - National 3 North report photos more photos
Editors
Notes:
·
A warm welcome to West Park today who due to a free week and the
bad weather have not played since January 5th. West Park, like
ourselves, have had a lot of close games this season with one of the teams
picking up a loosing bonus point in 11 of their 15 matches, West Park gaining 6
of them. They lost 21-14 at Rugby Lions in their last match, at least gaining a
loosing bonus point, but won their previous three, away at Bradford &
Bingley and at home to Macclesfield and Leicester Lions, all by 3 or less
points. However a win is a win and has taken West Park reasonably clear of the
relegation zone. These results indicate a tension packed match today with the
winner almost certainly having the satisfaction of moving several places up the
table. West Park have always giving us a warm reception at their clubhouse and
we look forward to returning the compliment today.
· The Hawks good form has once again seen them running in the tries, scoring 24 points in their victories over Bradford & Bingley and Driffield, then 60 points last week against York 2nds. Today they were due to play York University but they called off on Tuesday giving time to arrange a match with Hull Vulcans here today.
· One of the steps taken to maintain competitive rugby at all levels within each club and retain players in the game is a series of Leagues and Merit Tables for all club teams. As a consequence our Hawks XV compete in two leagues, The Yorkshire 2nd XV Premier League, whose league table can be found off the 2nd XV page of our web site, and the NCA North National Reserve League whose table is on the NCA web site. After a difficult start to the season the improved form currently sees the team 4th in the Yorkshire and 5th in the National League.
· In a slightly different approach for the centre page pictures this week, as well as 3 action photos of Joe Donkin, Travis Plumridge and Karl Birch I have included one of today’s sponsors, Andy Jenkinson, with one of the shirts Thunderbird Systems have provided for the Ramblers this season.
· The Six Nations matches kick-off next weekend with all the England matches and most of the others all being shown on our big screen. Next week the 1st XV currently has no fixture but the Hawks are at home to Wharfedale at 2.15 which is followed by England v Wales on the big screen. Provided there is a significant support for it the Italy v England game will be shown on Sunday 10th. There is then a weeks break for the Six Nations before France v England at 8pm on the 23rd, giving plenty of time to return from Morley. Scotland v England clashes with our match with Beverley and England v Ireland clashes with the 1st XV at Tynedale, it will be your choice as to which game you watch.
·
Our referee
today is Dave Edmunds, who we last met in our home cup game with Bradford
& Bingley last October. Dave is married and has a teenage daughter and lives
in the Wirral. A mathematician by profession, Dave is Deputy Head at a large
independent school. Dave has been refereeing since 1990 and a member of the
Panel of National Referees since 1998. As a player, he played in the back row.
His other hobbies are golf, skiing and relaxing.
· Our Touch Judges today are Craig Lord and Steve Barr. Craig is from Nottingham and is with us for the 4th time this season, including last week at Leicester and will be with us again at Morley. Steve is from Lichfield and this is also his 4th occasion with us this season.
Brian Norman
Programme Editor
Copyright: Hull Ionians retain the copyright of all data and photographs on this web site but give permission for them to be used for the promotion of rugby by the clubs they are associated with. Any use beyond this should seek the permission of the web site Editor, Brian Norman, and a fee to the club may be due. All rights reserved © 2008.