Allam cash boost revitalises Ionians

They spent most of the match in the attacking half and only a tenacious defence kept the score close, with Harrogate kicking a penalty deep into injury time to salvage a bonus point.

Bottom-placed Hull Ionians – who were boosted in the week by news that Hull City owner Assem Allam was to invest in the club – made the perfect start with a try in the second minute.

Good forward work stole the ball and Sam Bowring broke down the flank with Gary Stephenson finishing the try. Not binding in the scrum allowed Matt Roberts to put Gate on the board but they were under pressure straight from the restart and failure to release in the tackle saw Glenn Boyd kick a goal in reply.

Gate came straight back and a missed tackle saw supporting hooker Steve Maycock score, Roberts’s easy conversion bouncing back off the post.

Garry Acton stole a lineout and made ground to force another penalty by Boyd but Gate took their chance and good support play saw Tim Heaton cross, Roberts converting to give the visitors a 15-11 lead at the break.

Ionians had the wind advantage for the second half and for most of it kept Gate on the back foot.

On the hour, pressure brought two penalties by Boyd in two minutes, the second from 45 metres, to at last restore the home side’s lead and from this position they never looked back.

A charge by Danny Hague on halfway released centre Bowring who evaded half-tackles to score, Boyd converting for a crucial two-score lead. Gate’s comeback attempt on an ability to recycle to a clear overlap and they finally had to settle for a penalty goal by Roberts with time being called.

Ionians chairman Trevor Stephenson said of the Allam investment: “We have ambitions to improve our league status and Mr Allam’s contribution will help us to attract new players to strengthen our senior sides and improve our position this season.

“We are also working with him on a long-term development plan to take Ionians into National One and possibly beyond. Our director of rugby, Steve Townend, is already drawing up a list of player targets.”