Ionians are still in danger after students hit back to draw
A penalty from stand-off Chris Bell and an unconverted try from right winger Sam Wilson put Ionians into an early lead, but Loughborough did get off the mark just before half-time with stand-off Owen Waters kicking a penalty.
Shortly after play resumed, the students pulled level with prop Owen Hills crashing over, and the conversion from Waters gave them a slight lead.
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Hide AdIonians kept battling, though, and centre Lewis Minkin touched down with 14 minutes left, Bell converting to edge the Yorkshire side into a 15-10 lead.
But, with two minutes left, the visitors’ Theo Vukasinovic scored a try to draw level – and Ionians breathed a sigh of relief when the conversion was missed.
The result leaves the pair 13th and 14, respectively, and still in danger of the drop.
A late try came from winger Jamie Broadley helped Sheffield Tigers record a hard-fought victory over bottom of the table Luctonians at Dore Moor in National Two.
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Hide AdThe visitors opened a 12-0 lead before Tigers could hit back, fly-half Mark Ireland kicking a penalty and Tom Hart scoring a try – but another penalty for Luctonians gave them a 15-8 lead at half-time.
Full-back Pete Swatkins touched down shortly after the break and Ireland converted to pull them level, and Louis Taylor’s try mid-way through the half put Tigers into a precarious lead.
With 10 minutes left, Luctonians levelled once again with a try, only for winger Broadley to score late on to secure a much-needed five-point victory.
Sheffield lost out 29-23 on their visit to Blaydon.
The one losing bonus point was scant reward for Sheffield, who remain third bottom of the table and are now level on points with Blaydon.
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Hide AdThere was little joy for Yorkshire teams across National Two, with Wharfedale also having to settle for a four-try bonus point from their 37-28 defeat at Leicester Lions.
Tries from George Hedgley, Tom Barrett, Dan Stockdale and Philip Woodhead – plus all four conversions from Barrett – were not enough for the Yorkshire side.
Huddersfield lost out 19-10 at home against rivals Chester, who climb above them in the table on the back of the win.
Otley could only manage one try as they were well beaten 59-5 at top of the table Sale.
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Hide AdHull took a narrow 26-20 victory over Sandal in the North Premier league after battling back from a 17-5 deficit at half-time.
The West Yorkshire side battled well throughout the match, but were let down by a spell in the second half where they had three men in the sin-bin.
Tries from off-half James Ellar and centre Steve Nolson – plus two conversions and a penalty from Ellar – put Sandal ahead at half-time, Hull’s Steve Johnson having scored their try.
After the break, Hull props Mike Dias and Ben Bootham scored tries which Johnson converted to close to one point at 20-19, and winger Mike Adlard’s late score and Johnson’s conversion put Hull ahead.
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Hide AdSandal pushed hard late in the match but Hull’s defence just held out.
Harrogate battled to a 26-7 win at Rossendale, with tries coming from Luke Edwards, Jonny Coser, Danny Matthews and centre Euan Miller, with Luke White kicking three conversions.
Ilkley’s pitch was water-logged so their match with Wirral will have to be rearranged.
Leaders Driffield were made to work hard for an 18-15 win at West Hartlepool, while Huddersfield YMCA were narrow 23-21 winners over Bridlington.
York will take on Cheshire side Bowdon in the Northern Final of the RFU’s Intermediate Cup after hammering hosts Gateshead 81-5 in their last pool match.