West 14 Ionians 29

By Dave Picken - August 27 2008
West 14 Ionians 29
Stole 2 tries
Iain Dixon scored both West tries as Ionians provided a very useful workout. The Hull side were the better at keeping possession and deserved their five tries to two victory.

The first half featured both sides' first choice squads with West coaches Sawyer and Olliphant having to work round the absence of second rows Tom Dixon, the suspension of Chocky Davies and injury to Iain Robinson. It allowed Ionians to dominate the line-outs.

But there was plenty to enthuse West supporters in the opening half with both sides ruinning at pace and showing no little skill. Dixon scored his first try with a mazy fifty metre run with Moss converting.

Hull forced their way back into the game and touched down after a lot of pressure in the right corner to make it 7-5 to West at the break.

The second half was split into two 20 minute spells to allow replacements and the young visiting side cruised awsay with four second half tries.

West enjoyed some success breaking down the left wing, and it was from there that Dixon go his second try after some sharp interpassing with Andrew Cheslin.

The Stags ran in comfortable 47-5 winners against Barnard Castle in their warm-up game.