Huddersfield’s winless run goes on as Tigers and Ionians edge clear

The visitors were well in touch for the majority of the first half but a lapse in concentration saw them concede two tries in the first five minutes of the third quarter. The scores were level at 11-11 after prop Tony Stringwell went in for a try. However, Leicester started to shade it in the build-up to half-time and they led by seven going into the second stage.

Despite conceding, Huddersfield were still in the race and knew a good restart could make all the difference. Instead, Leicester went through the phases and found it all too easy to add to their tally, pushing their advantage out to 32-11.

Dan Hyde’s men fought their way back into contention through sheer grit and determination but had too much to do. Jack Moon and Adam Lancaster picked up tries as, with Leicester down to 14 men, Huddersfield spent the latter stages camped on the opposition line, but to no avail.

Otley had their hardest game so far, unable to function to their usual standard due to solid if unspectacular play from Bromsgrove, but they still prevailed 24-18.

Trailing 18-9 and try-less, Otley cut loose to end the game disappointed not to have a bonus point.

They made a horrid start, conceding a try in 27 seconds, the dropped kick-off snatched and centre Charles Jones scoring.

Otley fly-half Ben Cooper kicked three penalties as Bromsgorve persistently infringed to the result of three men spending time in the bin.

Johnathan Matthews stretched Bromsgrove’s lead with a try before Otley launched an attack from deep from which centre Jack Mackie crached over. Four minutes later a penalty into the corner set up the drive for Dan Temm to score. A repeat scenario saw skipper Adam Blades touchdown for the clinching try.

Hull Ionians prevailed over Westoe in their tie at Brantingham Park on Saturday, winning 31-15.

Jonathan Steel went over after just five minutes for the first of his tries. Steel added his second try and Kerry Wood crashed in to put Ionians 17-3 up with Ferguson on hand to convert once again.

A William Heylings try and Isaac Green conversion put the game beyond doubt, making it 26-3 and Richard Fletcher followed it up to score a minute later for the icing on the cake. Westoe made Ionians sweat, scoring two tries through Joe Mckenzie and Michael Potts.

Sheffield Tigers earned a 23-17 win over Birmingham Solihull.

Tigers were 16-5 ahead at the break with scrum-half Alex Drage scoring a try, while Pete Swatkins kicked a drop goal, and stand-off Tom Outram added two penalties and a conversion.

The visitors closed the gap to 16-12 with a converted try, but Tigers’ prop Anthony Ross crashed over, Outram converting.

Hull were beaten 55-12 at hosts Preston Grasshoppers. Shaun Long ran the game for the hosts.

A Rob Devonshire try and Greg Lound conversion had Hull level at 7-7 but by the time Phil Murphy crossed for their second they were out of the game.