There are certain film genres that appeal regardless; my personal favourites are Westerns, particularly John Wayne films, where the good guy always wins, gets the girl and rides off into the sunset (so he dies in Cowboys and the Shootist and loses out in Who shot Liberty Vallance but you get the drift).
For this analogy though I refer to Hammer Horror. Usually predictable, rarely horrifying, always overacted yet strangely compelling; and so to my favourite rugby club.....
This season I’s have been mostly predictable, rarely horrifying, always competitive and have offered the occasional twist to the plot to keep hope and optimism alive. It wasn't a classic yesterday, it takes a fair bit to scare me so I expect I’ll be back for more................

Ionians made a positive start to the match with the pack controlling possession to drive up close to the visitors line but Park weathered the storm and when winger Howe received a pass he scorched diagonally across the pitch to link with the opposite winger, Vincent, who returned the favour for Howe to recover a difficult pass and sprint clear to the line. 0 – 7.
Park pressed from the re-start and having worked the ball into the corner were able to force their way over from close range, front-rower Lundberg credited with the try. 0 – 12
A well directed kick, one of very few during the match from a home supporters point of view, put Ionians into the visitors 22 and a well rehearsed catch and drive carried the hosts over for a try for Alex Torkington, Isaac Green added the conversion to cut the lead to 7 – 12.
Park extended their advantage two minutes later with a decisive dash from scrum half Gash who sniped his way through the home defence before delivering on to Ellis and out to winger Vincent who crossed in the corner. 7- 17
Park spurned the chance of 3 easy points when they elected instead to seek the bonus point try, this looked a poor decision when manful defence delivered the ball to Barker to clear up field but the inevitable happened two minutes from the break when Howe scored his second try as he supported a mazy run from fullback Edwards before rounding a flat footed Sam Wilson to race away. Sneddon converted to bring the scores to 7 – 24 at half time.
The second half opening was a disaster for Ionians who conceded three tries in as many minutes. Baldwin barged over before the pea had stopped rolling round the referees whistle to be quickly followed by tries for Howe, who capitalised on a dropped pass to hack the ball forward and over the line and former Caldy boy, Harry Broadbent. Sneddon added the goals to all three tries to give Park an unassailable lead, 7 – 45.
Shell shocked Ionians recovered sufficiently to regain some composure and the pack worked the ball down field before releasing to the three- quarters to launch an attack; when Sam Wilson was hauled down illegally Reakes put the resulting penalty into touch 10 yards from the line. A knock on as Park tried to clear their line gave Ionians a scrum and Danny Hague picked up from the base and drove over for his 50th try for the club. 12- 45
Park applied more pressure and as I’s tired they were able to add three further scores; with ten minutes remaining they seized possession from a dropped pass and transferred the ball swiftly to Howe to add his fourth try, goaled by Sneddon. Sneddon then added a try of his own before back - row Shires completed the scoring after a period of relentless pressure. The final score 12 – 60, Ionians heaviest defeat of a long and arduous season.
After a 10 try mauling it may seem odd to mention a fine defensive effort but Jon Steel was rightly adjudged the home sides top player with another outstanding exorcet display.....................

I know I’ll be back for more because these guys are a great bunch and there isn’t a bad player amongst them. I don’t really care that Doncaster can afford to have a full time squad, loan players from Premiership sides if they are short and scrape over the line to win the title; that a club from the south can raise more money at a pre –match meal than Crossy would do if he were auctioning the Crown Jewels in a room full of millionaires, whilst ever Steely is scything people down like he does, Sam quickens the pulse when he gets the ball as he does and Slingers, Joe, Keane and the other 3’s continue to show the commitment and enterprise they have then they are worthy of our support.
The forwards must be ready for a rest, currently shorn of the talents of Wiggy, Campbell and Tyson to name a few, they are running on empty. Hopefully there is enough in the tank for next weeks Yorkshire Cup encounter at Wharfedale and the final league fixture at the Butts Park Arena.
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