Ionians step up the gears as Otley unable to stem challenge of Ampthill

The leaders stay top ahead of Ampthill but at half-time at Stourton Park they were only 9-14 ahead.

Centre Chris Reakes got Ionians off the mark in the fourth minute and stand-off James Ferguson converted, but Stourbridge stand-off Coalan Ryan kicked penalties on 11, 26 and 29 minutes.

No 8 Alex Torkington’s 38th-minute try was converted by Ferguson and wing-forward Santiago Socino crashed over 10 minutes into the second half and Ferguson added the extras.

The hosts were not finished and winger Gary Dipple raced in, Ryan converting to narrow the gap with 20 minutes remaining.

Ionians stepped up several gears and left winger Sam Wilson scored on 66 minutes before they were awarded a penalty try, Ferguson adding both conversions before improving Torkington’s second try.

Ashley Oyekan barged over for the home side in stoppage-time.

Otley were hit by the full might of Ampthill and lost 53-12 at home.

Tries from Gavin Williams, Matt Burke and Darrell Dyer helped make it 17-0 at half-time.

No 8 Maama Molitika crossed before Otley produced the try of the match, Harry Hudson finishing off a slick move.

William Goodge, Joseph Bercis, Burke and Dyer (2) struck back with tries before a tap penalty by Stephen Depledge set up Michael Coady for a converted Otley try.

Hull turned in a much-improved performance to hold third-placed Sedgley Park to a 28-21 margin.

Sedgley’s first-half tries came from Harry Mahadi and Callum McShane and No 8 Matt Lamprey scored two triesafter the break.

Hull replied with a try by full-back James Kirk, converted by Greg Lound, who was also on target when winger Steve Hihetah raced over.

Hull salvaged a losing bonus when Lound brushed aside three defenders in a 50-yard run to score a fine individual try.

Harrogate maintained their challenge for third place with a 30-20 win at Leicester Lions.

The Lions came back strongly in the second half but Harrogate outscored them by five tries to three.

Cam Leadley (2), Harry Parrish, Willem Enslin and Andy Boyde scored the Harrogate tries.

Huddersfield recorded their first league win in four matches, 19-17 at home to Preston Grasshoppers.

Huddersfield scrum-half Joel Hinchliffe kicked three penalties as they trailed 12-9 at the break.

Hinchliffe struck again before second-row Austen Thompson for a converted try. Preston replied late on.