Ionians off the mark but Doncaster suffer another shock loss

They were in command for most of the game with their forwards providing a solid platform and the backs running well off it. It took Ionians just three minutes to open their account Alex Campbell crashing over after an attacking lineout with Lloyd Hayes adding the goal.

Hayes and Joe Govett traded penalties before Govett crashed over in the corner and converted.

Two more penalties from Hayes saw them lead 16-10 at the break.Straight from the restart Hayes had two quick penalty attempts from half way, converting the second. Shortly after the forwards drove to the line and turned over a five-metre scrum, then after three more five-metre scrums saw tries stopped illegally Ionians were awarded a penalty try which Hayes converted.

Worthing stepped up the pace for a short spell, gaining tries by Oliver Richards and Liam Perkins, but both conversions missed.

Joe Sanders broke through and good support play ended with Hayes crashing over wide out.

As Ionians were celebrating, leaders Doncaster were suffering their second straight away defeat.

Despite dominating in the setpiece they fell to a 22-17 defeat at in-form Blaydon.

The penalties of Paul Roberts kept them ticking in a nip and tuck contest before a Thomas Grimes try edged Blaydon 15-9 ahead.

Replacement scrum-half Jonathan Burn then executed a pick and drive and crashed over the line. to extend the lead further.

Bruno Bravo injected life into the Knights, with his pass releasing Glenn Bryce, but Roberts could not convert.

Another penalty of his brought Doncaster to within a try but they could not score and suffered defeat.

Wharfedale earned a rare win in London, their 18-13 triumph at Richmond making it six victories from seven for Jon Feeley’s side.

They needed a last-gasp try by winger Scott Jordan to claim the win, though it would have been unfair if the home side had scraped a draw which seemed likely when they scored their only try deep into injury time. te the slippery conditions.

The match had begun in torrential rain, but Wharfedale, marshalled by Tom Barrett who was to have another excellent match, had all the territory.

All they had to show for their superiority after 20 minutes was a Barrett penalty. Richmond equalised with a penalty from full-back Kirby, but Wharfedale once again took control: first a forward pass deprived Christian Georgiou of a try, then a Barrett drop-goal was overruled for a previous infringement. But the balance of play was finally translated into points when Matt Dudman finished a sweeping move just before the break for a lead of 8-3.

Richmond’s second half got off to the worst of starts when Jordan finished a spectacular move wide on the right to make it 13-3. Wharfedale’s creativity was causing repeated panic in the home defence. A long injury break while Wharfedale captain Chris Steel received attention meant the game overran, long enough for Richmond to gain the draw they barely deserved – only for Jordan to spoil their day.

Wharfedale are up to fifth, just eight points behind second-placed Doncaster.