Ionians make hard work of game in hand but force their way to top

HULL Ionians returned to the top of the table when they secured a hard-fought 24-19 victory over hosts Stockport in a re-arranged match.
Harrogate's Mike AspinallHarrogate's Mike Aspinall
Harrogate's Mike Aspinall

Ionians returned to the top thanks to a four-try victory, although they were made to work hard for the win.

No 8 Alex Campbell touched down after just five minutes and scrum-half Isaac Green added the conversion, but Stockport hit back seven minutes later with lock Chris Roddy’s try being converted by George Smith.

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Winger Sam Wilson raced in after 19 minutes to edge Ionians ahead, but it was matched again by Kieran Hobbs as Stockport levelled again.

Wilson’s second try came on 34 minutes and Green converted for a 19-12 half-time lead, and Alex Torkington extended the lead on the hour mark to put Ionians 12 clear.

Stockport had the last word with Ben Marsland’s 79th minute score being improved by Smith, but it was too little too late for the hosts.

For the second successive week, hosts Harrogate lost by a single point in spite of scoring three tries to Broadstreet’s single penalty try.

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The penalty count weighed heavily against Harrogate and Ben Palmer’s reliable kicking kept Broadstreet in contention throughout before they won 22-21.

Stand-off Mike Aspinall took a difficult pass off his bootlaces to feed James Morland who scored the opening try in the left corner. Joe Rowntree’s conversion attempt hit the upright, before he landed a penalty to stretch the lead.

After Palmer’s first penalty, the home scrum drove from five metres out for scrum-half Danny Matthews to score. Two Palmer penalties brought Broadstreet to within four at the break.

In his 90th appearance for Harrogate’s first team, Tom Harvey drove over for his maiden try. Two further penalties kept Broadstreet in touch. Rowntree replied with one of his own before ‘Street set up driving mauls and were awarded a penalty try which also resulted in a yellow card for Andy Boyde. The conversion sealed victory for Broadstreet.