Sin-binning prevents Ionians crowning comeback

Ionians dominated the opening exchanges and got off the mark when Danny Paul picked up and drove through after Isaac Green had been stopped short.

Cinderford lock Jerry Sexton soon touched down and Bower converted and they were 15-5 ahead at the break after Ionians’ Dave Laverick had been sin-binned.

Ben White ploughed through and Bower converted soon after play resumed but Ionians’ youngster Ben Winterburn broke away for the corner and threw a well-timed pass to full-back Keane Naylor to touch down by the posts, Green adding the conversion.

Winger Nev Codlin crossed for the hosts but Sam Wilson wriggled over for a try which James Ferguson converted to make it 29-19 with 15 minutes remaining.

When Mark Wigham was sin-binned for foul play, it took the pressure off and Bower added one final penalty.

Wharfedale suffered a 26-15 defeat at Rosslyn Park.

The driving rain of a wet London day eased in time for kick-off and left the artificial turf glistening and it was Wharfedale who lit up the first half.

Jamie Guy struck an early penalty but Park responded with a try after 26 minutes.

From a lineout on their own 10m line, Park went through 12 phases before Adam Frampton touched down. Tom Whiteley forced over a tricky conversion into the wind.

Dale then soon forced their way into Park’s 22 and won a scrum. Cameron Hudson broke and passed inside for Huw Morgan to cross between the posts. Guy converted and it was 10-7 at the break.

More mistakes at the start of the second half led to a yellow card for Harry Skelton and two tries for Park.

Ellis was awarded the first after a catch and drive and Whiteley converted before running in an unconverted try.

Poor tackling led to Park’s fourth converted try from Adam Field before Harry Skelton grabbed one for Dale, finishing off good work by Matt van Sertima.