Ionians in seventh heaven as they close the gap on Blaydon

After a scoreless opening 20 minutes, the visitors took the lead through a converted try from Matthew King.

Ionians responded immediately, scoring two tries in three minutes through Chris Eggleshaw and then Aquile Smith, to put them ahead 14-7 ahead at half-time.

The hosts kicked on after the break, Smith scoring his second with Alistair Thomson and Samuel Wilson also crossing to secure the bonus point.

King scored his and Macclesfield’s second to reduce the gap, before a converted penalty try put Ionians 38-14 in front.

Francis Barker went over for the visitors but Eggleshaw added a last-minute try to take Ionians’ tally to seven for the match and wrap up the victory.

They stay second bottom in the table, however, just a single point behind Blaydon, who also won on Saturday.

Wharfedale moved up to 11th place in National Two North after a 27-3 victory at home to Tynedale in difficult conditions.

Hooker Dan Stockdale and fly-half Jamie Guy scored tries in the first half to give the hosts a 12-3 lead at the interval.

Second-half tries from Lewis Wilson and a brace from Josh Burridge wrapped up the bonus point and a comfortable looking victory.

Trailing 19-0 after just 16 minutes, Sheffield hit back in style to beat hosts Old Halesonians 42-19 in National Three Midlands.

The Yorkshire side pulled it back to lead 21-19 at half-time with stand-off Andy Hodgson scoring twice and hooker Sam Graham adding a third try with Joe Cribley converting all three.

After the break, the points continued with scrum-half Steve Depledge, wing-forward Sean Casey and back-row Joe Carrington all scoring tries which Cribley improved.

Morley were beaten 17-3 at home by Kendal in National Three North, a first half penalty the host’s only score of the game.

Driffield moved up to sixth in the table after an impressive 43-7 win at Guisborough in North One East.

Driffield led 29-0 at the break, outside centre Joe Robinson scoring a brace, with Ben Dinsdale and Gary Stephenson also going over.

Second-row Ollie Cooper and No 8 Will Burns scored tries after the break with Will Brigham kicking 13 points in the match to wrap up the five points.

With the game finely balanced at 17-14 at half-time, Otley enjoyed a strong second half and went on to win 34-14 over Huddersfield in the quarter-final of the Yorkshire Cup.

Pontefract recorded a 31-14 victory over Wetherby in the quarter-finals of the Yorkshire Shield.

Winger Stuart Sanderson scored a hat-trick with John Fradgley and Glen Boyd going over for the hosts, Callum Watts converting two.

Both of Wetherby’s scores were penalty tries, one in each half, but it is Pontefract advance to the semi-finals.

Yorkshire One leaders Bridlington secured a 43-7 win over league rivals York in the Yorkshire Shield.

Winger Gareth Roberts and front-row Josh Thundercliffe both scored two tries, while others came from stand-off Machu Walsh, winger Gary Stevens and second-row Patrick Waines.

Roberts and Walsh both kicked two conversions to complete the scoring.

Wath on Dearne also reached the Shield semi finals with a 35-7 win over Selby.

Centre Anthony Barrett scored two tries, while others came from flanker Joe Earp, replacement Jason Cotton and winger Ben Cairns, with Jack Whitlam kicking all five conversions.

Skipton were 17-15 winners over Wensleydale in the Yorkshire Silver Trophy, while the other quarter-finals were postponed due to clubs having league matches.

Aireborough lost 24-12 at home against Halifax Vandals in Yorkshire Three, while RFU National Junior Vase contenders Goole recorded a 52-21 win over Leeds Medics & Dentists.

Stocksbridge were 12-7 winners over league leaders Knottingley as they battled against relegation.