A regional sport and hospitality hub which began as a village rugby club has unveiled the latest phase of a major improvement programme worth almost £500,000.
The investment by Hull Ionians RUFC over the last six years has helped to provide floodlights, an all-weather cricket wicket and refurbishments to changing rooms, with the enhanced facilities driving increased activity in rugby, rounders and cricket.
East Yorkshire’s leading rugby union club is stepping up to develop the game across the region with the appointment of a key figure who will combine duties as head coach with a programme designed to help young players at schools and other clubs.
As Head of Rugby at Hull Ionians, Graham Steadman brings rugby league experience which includes more than 200 appearances for Castleford and a rugby union CV which takes in the Ireland and Scotland national sides as well as Newcastle Falcons, Cardiff Blues and London Scottish.
After a week of torrential rain, Hull Ionians were able to put on their festival albeit having to use all the space they had to ensure that matches could take place, closing off the lowest-lying pitches at the far end of the ground due to standing water.
Beverley U11’s turned up with a full-strength squad of 11 for the 9-a-side matches. After the changes to the layout due to the waterlogging, pitches were made smaller and teams played 7-a-side matches which impacted on the way the games played out.
The Beverley Beavers U11s squad launched the 19/20 season in style with a fantastic adrenalin-filled game against Hull Ionians, wearing new kit, supplied by local businesses Transtools Ltd, MJH Chartered Accountants and Home PR.
The teams were well matched demonstrating speed, agility, and tactical skills that kept supporters on edge till the final whistle.
As well as Beverley controlled the ball in their season opener against Driffield, they failed to care for it this weekend as an Ionians dominated the first half en route to a comfortable 36-12 victory over the Beavers.
Ionians scored early to put Beverley on the back foot as the visitors failed to recover from a fumble receiving the kick off that gave the home side possession and territory which they duly converted two minutes later driving over from a free kick.
Beverley and Bishop Burton College will again take part in Yorkshire’s oldest rugby seven-a-side tournament, the 59th John Smiths Pock 7s, at Pocklington RUFC, next Friday (14 April).
The event has been held in Pocklington every Good Friday since 1959, and it has grown from humble beginnings into one of Yorkshire’s biggest sporting and social days out, with the local rugby fraternity plus many ‘ex-pats’ making their way to Percy Road for an annual Easter reunion.
Beverley RUFC U14s ruthlessly disposed of Hull Ionians at Beaver Park on Sunday, coming away with a 38-5 victory in their final home game of the season.
The victory demonstrated the progress the team has made over the season, playing 28 matches, 16 wins, 11 losses and a draw, including an appearance in the Yorkshire Plate Final.
Beverley Town Cricket Club third team look to continue this season’s campaign with the first home game of the season against the newly promoted Hull Ionians Coal Exporters.
