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September 5th 2009 - Hull Ionians Hawks 15 – Driffield 28

Team – Mabbett, Rawson, Rose, Ellesworth, Bray, Barrass, Hardisty, Pearson, Hall, Lyon,
Makin, Carew, Wilson, Walkins, McKenzie.

The Hawks started the new campaign with a youthful and exuberant team, fielding 8 Academy players, and admirable a quality that it is, it was not enough to overcome a more streetwise and physically superior Driffield side.
Ionians started brightly, new recruits Joe Makin and Callum McKenzie driving the ball forward and half backs Olly Hardisty and Andy Barrass endeavouring to move the ball down the backs. The Hawks suffered an early blow when Skipper Neil Lyon received a leg injury and had to leave the field. This disrupted the scrum and most of the ball won in set play from then was taken going backwards. Ionians were first to score, a penalty from Barrass, and they extended it when Martin Carew, looking fitter than last year, powered over for an unconverted try.
The Driffield forwards began to exert their dominance as the first half progressed, and despite some good tackling from the Hawks back row were able to create opportunities for their fly half to kick a penalty and add a drop goal. Driffield closed the half with an unconverted try.
The Hawks were confident that they could use the elements to their advantage in the second half and keep Driffield pinned in their own half. That confidence grew when Carew capitalized on hesitancy in the defence and charged over for his second try, well converted by Barrass. Driffield however continued to squeeze the life out of the Hawks; they added another penalty before the forwards drove through the first line of defence to create space for the winger to race under the posts. Driffield completed the scoring with another converted try, again following strong work from the pack.
Despite the defeat the Hawks should be satisfied with many aspects of the performance. It bodes well for the Academy, and the Hawks, that so many players are capable of performing at second team level. Young “Jimbo” made a nuisance of himself all afternoon, a good trait in a back row. The entire back line showed good touches and pace throughout and games such as this will benefit their development. Tim Wilson started where he left off last season, tackling like a dervish. The new recruits all look capable of challenging for a first team berth, Joe Makin worked hard in the tight and loose, particularly well in the lineout. Callum McKenzie, in the unfamiliar No8 shirt, cleaned up well round the base of a retreating scrum and made several good breaks. The young half backs had a difficult afternoon, having to cope with slow ball and faced with the dominant opposition back row. Both will have better afternoons and showed they have the skills to prosper.