Bateman’s double helps Ionians seize initiative with victory over leaders

It looked as though Stourbridge were in the ascendency as they were 10 points up after 17 minutes thanks to two penalties from James Hearn and a penalty try.

But Bateman scored his first just minutes later with Chris Reakes adding the extras. Hearn scored another penalty on 25 minutes to make it 13-7 at the break.

However, Ionians ran in three second-half tries with Adam Thomas and Simon Hammersley crashing over before Bateman added his second.

Although Dale Garner struck back on 74 minutes, time ran out for Stourbridge as they lost 24-23.

Ionians are now four points adrift with a game in hand.

Hull were well beaten 32-13 at Darlington Mowden Park.

Hull took the lead with a penalty by James Cameron after 13 minutes, but Mowden went in front when full-back Henry Robinson touched down for a try which Grant Connon converted.

Cameron added a second penalty to make the score 7-6 at half-time, but Mowden took control with tries by Chris McTurk and Cameron Mitchell, with Connon converting the latter as well as kicking two penalties.

Ollie Cook scored an excellent try on 78 minutes, Cameron converting, but Mowden snatched a four-try bonus point when Turk crossed for his second.

Sheffield Tigers ran out 15-10 winners over Leicester Lions, and had to thank full-back Pete Swatkins and centre Jamie Broadley for their tries. Tom Outram kicked a conversion and penalty to complete a close victory at Dore Moor.

Otley were beaten 43-35 in a high-scoring contest at Preston Grasshoppers, the team who sit one place above them in fourth.

Hoppers took an early lead with a try and conversion from Taylor but Otley replied with a try from Mackie before building a substantial lead, Cicognini, Coady and Temm each crossing, Cooper converting all. But Otley were pegged back before half-time when Hughes scored, Taylor converting.

Fighting their way back, tries from Moon and Haley plus one conversion brought Preston within a point before Taylor’s penalty put them in front.

Looking confident, Preston advanced with a converted try from Keenan but a resurgent Otley came back with a second try for Temm and with minutes remaining were battling in the home 22 but a breakaway saw Moon score his second.

Huddersfield produced a solid display at home to fellow strugglers Stockport but lost 31-13.

The Lockwood Park outfit proved dominant in the forwards and this solid platform kept them in touch for the majority of the game.

Dan Hyde’s men got off the mark on 21 minutes through full-back Tom Owen which owed much to the work of Mike Clarke.

Owen scored a second try in his man-of-the-match performance but Stockport had done enough.