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November 7 2009 - Hull Ionians Hawks 20 Sandal A 26 - Yorkshire Premier League

A much changed Hawks XV took the field, again suffering with a number of injuries to the squad and a few late cry offs to boot. Credit must once again be given to the tireless Dave Wilson for finding fifteen men to take the field.
The opening period was a keenly contested affair with both sides defending well. The Hawks began to gain the upper hand and were rightly rewarded with the opening score of the game. Good handling fed debutant winger Simon who sprinted through the Sandal defence to be stopped just short. Quick recycling allowed Kyle Hall to smash his way over the line. The conversion drifted just wide of the uprights. The Sandal back line had been making good ground and it was they who were rewarded with the next score. A good period of play and recycling led to an unconverted try in the corner. Ionians responded well and a good period of pressure led to a penalty chance just outside the 22. Unfortunately the attempt was just wide and the points which the effort deserved were not forthcoming. The Hawks kept battling and did get their reward soon after. A superb break by Slingsby led to a penalty out wide. From the resulting lineout the ball was recycled several times before great handling by the backs out to Ally Johnson for the score. Conversion unsuccessful. The Hawks went straight back on the attack following a great break by Chris Cusack from the kick off. Ionians held good field position but were unable to add to the score line. A period of good defence led to a break by the backs with Slingsby, Cawthorn and Barrass all involved. Chris Cusack kicked on the loose ball but was just beaten for pace by the cover defence.
Half Time Hawks 10 Sandal 5
Ionians started the second half well and got their reward with a fantastic try. Chris Cusack broke well from a midfield scrum and good support saw the ball recycled for the backs. An excellent break by Captain Cawthorn in the centre took play in to the Sandal 22 were he offload to Slingsby to score under the posts. Andy Barrass finally found his kicking boots to add the conversion. Sandal raised their game and began to exert pressure on the Ionians line. The Hawks defended well with notable tackles from Cawthorn, Forth and Cusack but eventually the pressure told and Sandal scored a converted try. The game continued to follow a similar pattern with Sandal pinning Ionians in their own half. Chris Cusack made a superb tackle on the line to stop a certain score. Once again Sandal managed to force another converted score. Ionians inability the clear their own half was beginning to become a real problem. Finally the Hawks got back on the front foot and a sustained pressure and good ball retention led to a penalty kick just outside the 22 which Andy Barrass coolly slotted home to put the Hawks back in front. The remainder of the game was spent in the Hawks territory as Sandal pressed for the decisive score. Luke Skywalker broke well from the 22 but his pass was intercepted. The Hawks defence held strong until Sandal forced a turnover in the 22 and the lively scrum half danced his way over for a converted try to put Sandal ahead once again. Good defence from Ionians forced 3 penalties but a failure to hit touch with the kicks prevented good field position as the ball was regularly returned with interest. Steve Slingsby made another good break but a knock on halted a promising move. As the clock ticked away the Hawks couldn’t muster a final charge.
The effort of the Hawks could not be faulted and on another day this would have been rewarded with a victory. Ultimately some poor kicking and a poor kick chase prevented the Hawks from establishing good field position from which the strike runners could attack. The front row had the edge in the scrum with several against the head and there were several notable performances from Carew, Cusack, Cawthorn but the Hawks Man of the Match was awarded to the impressive Steve Slingsby who was a threat to the Sandal defence all afternoon.