Hampson and Aspinall shine for Harrogate as Huddersfield’s title challenge fades away

Harrogate weathered an early storm from Ionians and then hit a purple patch to score three crucial first half tries.

A fourth-try earned them a bonus point shortly after half-time and Harrogate’s outstanding defence kept Ionians at bay for the rest of the game.

Harrogate mounted waves of inventive attacks from the outset but a knock-on led to Ionians possession and they showed why they have had such a recent good run of results.

Full-back Mike Bateman split the home defence with a powerful 40-metre run but was forced into touch just short of the line. More Hull attacks followed though Harrogate’s creative half-backs, Craig Hampson and Mike Aspinall, set up dangerous counter-attacks. A break by Aspinall break was supported by Sam Bottomley, who powered through for the game’s opening try, converted by Aspinall.

A few more minutes of home pressure followed and also another converted try by Bottomley made it 14-0.

Waves of Hull pressure on the home line followed and scrum-half Adam Thomas forced his way through the defence to put the visitors on the score sheet.

This spurred more Harrogate attacks and a strong drive by Ryan Peacey created space for Toby Quarendon to dart through between the posts for another converted try.

The half ended with two consecutive Harrogate offside offences and an Ionians penalty from Marshall made it 21-8 at the break.

Harrogate attacked again from the restart and set up a series of driving mauls from which Peacey squirmed through to score.

Harrogate threatened sporadically but it was their defence which had to withstand a pounding.

Hull 28 Kendal 19

Hull eased their way up the divison at the expense of relegation-threatened Kendal who played with endeavour and skill.

The visitors eased ahead after seven minutes when Ireland kicked a penalty. Hull responded with a flurry of points which put them 13-3 up after 25 minutes.

A catch and drive try awarded to Devonshire after 11 minutes was quickly followed by a penalty by Cameron before good forward drives and quick ruck ball saw excellent handling put Donkin in at the corner Hull relaxed and Kendal mounted a barrage of their own, full-back Mulholnnad off-loading to Bratton, who forced his way over, giving Ireland a relatively easy conversion.

Ireland landed two penalties in the last minute of the half to give Kendal a 16-13 lead.

He kicked another in the first minute of the second half and alarm bells were ringing for Hull.

Hull rung the changes and Devonshire scored from another catch and drive and Cameron landed the conversion before adding a penalty.

Hull were assuming control and Piercy rounded off another period of pressure with a good try after 75 minutes.

Westoe 31 Huddersfield 21

HUDDERSFIELD slipped to fifth after losing at fellow title-chasers Westoe in a battling encounter which could have gone either way until a late interception try swung the game the hosts’ way.

Huddersfield had their noses in front for the majority of the first half, taking the lead when Chris Johnson kicked a penalty.

The scores were tied soon afterwards, only for Huddersfield to make it 8-3 when centre Dave Hall capitalised on excellent work from Tommy Owen to score in the corner.

Penalties were traded once more and a third kick from the hosts on 25 minutes left only two points in it.

On the half-hour, though, winger Adam Ryder scored in the corner and Johnson converted from the touchline.

A fourth penalty from outside half Mark Bedworth reduced the lead to six points before Westoe pinched the advantage just before half-time with a try by Peter Phean.

The one-point advantage was extended to eight when No 8 Ben Frankland scored a converted try in the second half.

Johnson’s penalty made it 26-21 to Westoe going into the final period and Huddersfield suddenly looked the more likely to score.

However, Frankland’s second try took the game out of Huddersfield’s reach, to leave them 18 points off the top.