Hull Ionians collapse after Smith wings in for four tries against bottom club

A late collapse saw Ionians blow a 17-point lead in the last 15 minutes.

Four tries from winger Aquile Smith had helped the hosts into a 24-7 lead midway through the second half before Cinderford hit back, the winning score coming from centre Sam Hanks six minutes into stoppage-time.

Hooker Tom Bozzard scored early to give the visitors a 7-0 lead before Ionians took control, running in four tries through Smith with two conversions from scrum-half Isaac Green.

A try from No 8 Matt Lane and two from Hanks, all converted by centre Christopher Eden, saw Cinderford pull off an unlikely turnaround.

Wharfedale lost 27-15 at home to Rosslyn Park, who adapted far better to the heavy pitch.

Penalties were exchanged early on before the Wharfedale pack drove over for two tries, the second a great effort from 30 metres out. Chris Howick was awarded both touchdowns and Jamie Guy converted the last one.

Wharfedale went in with a 15-3 lead at half-time but had to face the wind and the slope in the second half.

Scott Sneddon gave a kicking display in the second half that gave the visitors a territorial advantage. Wharfedale struggled to gain territory and when they did advance to Park’s 22, Sneddon, on more than one occasion, sent them back to defend a five-metre lineout.

Both sides earned yellow cards in the second half but Park made light of their loss.

Sneddon’s field kicking was matched by his 100 per cent place kicking. A successful penalty was soon followed by a converted penalty try and Sneddon also converted his own try before Hugo Ellis rounded off the scoring for Park with a converted try.

Macclesfield consolidated their lead in National Two North with a 31-7 victory at mid-table Sandal.

The visitors had long since wrapped up the match with four tries by the time winger Simon Frewin scored Sandal’s try, converted by Gregory Wood.

Huddersfield suffered a home defeat as second-placed Sedgley Park won 21-13 at Lockwood Park. Wing-forward Liam Parfitt scored Huddersfield’s try and centre Chris Bell kicked the conversion and two penalties.

Harrogate were 17-6 home winners over Sale with their points all coming in the first half. Stand-off Callum Irvine, centre Alex Nesbitt and winger Sam Bottomley scored tries, with full-back Lewis Minikin adding one conversion.

National Three North leaders Sheffield Tigers picked up another bonus when they ran in five tries on their way to a 31-5 win at Huddersfield YMCA, who dropped two places to second bottom.

Tigers’ tries came from Frank Wragg, Tom Outram, Peter Swatkins, Matt Allen and Jonathan Buchanan.

Cleckheaton moved ahead of YMCA when they edged a 17-13 home win over higher-placed Ilkley.

Richard Piper scored two tries to give Cleckheaton a 10-3 interval lead.

Josh Kimber added his second penalty for Ilkley but they could not capitalise on Cleckheaton having Mikey Hayward and Richard Piper sent to the sin bin.

Matt Piper went through from 20 metres when Cleckheaton were back at full strength and Ronan Evans added the extras. Ilkley got a consolation try through Pat Power, which Kimber converted, earning them a bonus point.

Sheffield, after turning round 13-3 down, fought back with three tries to win 24-20 at Stockport, moving up to fourth place as Hull slipped back when they were left to salvage a losing bonus as they went down 16-14 at Birkenhead Park.

As their closest challengers Morley suffered a rare defeat, North One East leaders Doncaster Phoenix scored what could be a decisive win when they beat third-placed West Hartlepool 32-8 at Castle Park.

Tries came from fly-half Jason Lennard, winger Ed Miles, centre Dave Hankinson, full-back Dan Porter and prop Tom Bagnall.

Pocklington, after several close encounters in recent seasons, scored their first win over Morley, 17-10 at Percy Road.

Morley fought back to 
10-10 but were beaten by a late Pocklington onslaught as full-back Joe Holbrough scored a try which captain Ben Rees converted. Morley have two games in hand over Phoenix but are now 23 points adrift.

Dinnington moved level with fourth-placed Alnwick on league points when they won 25-15 at home to Guisborough.

After turning round 10-5 ahead, Dinnington finally secured a four-try bonus when flanker Ryan Donnelly touched down late in the game.

Driffield scored three tries on their way to a 26-10 home win over Wheatley Hills, but tail-enders Beverley sank 26-0 at South Shields Westoe.

Bradford & Bingley defended their Yorkshire One lead with a 19-3 win at Old Brodleians, centre Lachlan Moore scoring two of their three tries.

The Bees’ nearest rivals, Malton & North, were also denied a try bonus and had to fight from behind for a 21-19 home win over Heath.

Prop Ben Boothman scored two of Malton’s three tries.

Bridlington held third place with a five-try, 29-20 win at Old Crossleyans.