Johnson eases relegation pressure as Greenwood scores on debut

Huddersfield recovered from a shaky start to take another step towards securing their safety in the division.

They paid the price for turning their backs on a free-kick and the Lions swooped to score a converted try after five minutes, a lead they quickly extended with a penalty.

Huddersfield regained their composure and started to take control. James Wood opened their account before fellow winger Donovan van Vuuren crossed. With Chris Johnson slotting home both conversions, the home side were in front.

Some solid rugby was rewarded when Johnson landed two penalties before the break but a kick from the visitors early in the second half put them back to within a score.

That gap was reduced to 20-16 with another successful penalty and in a nail-biting finish Huddersfield worked hard to keep the Lions penned in their own half. Johnson eased the tension with a final kick but still the home side had to defend resolutely with the visitors having two late lineouts inside the home 22.

The win lifted Huddersfield above Broadstreet, whose match was postponed.

Leicester Lions 7

Hull Ionians 14

A magnificent performance from the Ionians pack destroyed the Lions platform and paved the way for a well-earned victory.

The pitch was still frozen with some snow on it at 9am but it had become a little muddy by kick-off and the Ionians forwards overcame the conditions far better than their hosts.

Early penalties put Ionians on the attack but the Lions defence gave nothing away, holding up a driven maul and stopping Ollie Marns inches from the line. Pressure was maintained and Joe Wright kicked a simple penalty on 18 minutes.

The Lions made a single response and were also held up at the line, Ionians stealing the scrum to reapply the pressure helped by good tactical kicking by James Ferguson.

To close the half, Mark Wigham charged down a clearance kick, Rob Whittam secured the ball and quick release saw Marns send in Will Greenwood to score on his debut.

The second half saw the Lions concede too many basic penalties which eventually brought a yellow card.

Wright made them pay by kicking two penalties to increase the lead. Only in stoppage time did the Lions produce any good play, gaining consolation with a try by Jeremy Saxon, converted by Jon Boden.

Ionians reasserted command to ensure a victory that upset the form book.