Johnson teaches big lesson to Students as Hull relegate Lions

National Two North

Huddersfield 13 Loughborough 10

Chris Johnson slotted a drop goal to clinch a fine victory over top-four side Loughborough Students.

The visitors started the brighter with some powerful free-running rugby to score through full-back Craig Holland after four minutes.

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The hosts weathered the early storm to take the lead nine minutes later when Lee Paxman ran a great line to break through the visitors’ defence and score, Chris Johnson adding the conversion.

Loughborough had the majority of possession for the remainder of the half but Huddersfield worked hard in defence to limit their opportunities and maintained their narrow advantage at half-time.

The second half started in much the same vein with Loughborough scoring from a maul.

Their lead lasted only seven minutes before Johnson levelled with a penalty. The game became something of a territorial battle after that with both sides trying to set up positions for close-range attacks and drop-goals.

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However, with time ticking down Huddersfield set the platform for Johnson, who held his nerve to land the all-important goal.

Hull 39 Rugby Lions 0

Hull cruised to a comfortable win over the now-relegated Rugby Lions, scoring seven very good tries in the process.

Although the visitors battled gamely they had no answer to Hull’s power and pace. Hull took the lead in the fifth minute when centre James Greene scored and five minutes later they were in again when Greene made a 30-metre break which left-winger Matt White backed up to finish off.

Two classic catch-and-drive carbon-copy tries from lineouts brought two tries to flanker Rob Devonshire.

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Just before the break, scrum-half Oliver Hardisty provided the final pass for Greene’s second try. After missing the first four conversions in the face of a strong wind, Guy Martinson converted this one.

The second half proved to be rather scrappy but Hull had no difficulty in keeping control and some fine rugby led to two tries from right-winger Alex Piercy, the first of which was converted by Martinson. The second try followed a move which started on the left and involved six backs for the try of the day.

Nuneaton 37 Hull Ionians 14

Hull Ionians ran into a fully committed Nuneaton team who were quicker in thought and deed in every phase of the game.

Nuns had the diagonal wind advantage in the first half and Lee Chapman utilised space to gain good position.

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Three times in the first half, Hull Ionians reached the line but either conceded penalties or lost the ball far too easily.

Two penalties by Chapman gave Nuns an early lead before scrum-half Alex Mumford raced through with dazzling footwork, Chapman converting.

The second half continued with Nuns controlling the ball and right wing Andy Murray soon raced in.

A five-minute spell of good play saw Hull Ionians score twice, the forwards setting up Tom Rice to burrow over before Mark Duxbury stole the ball in the tackle and took the return pass to race in, James Ferguson converting both to make it 18-14.

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Nuns dashed any hopes of a comeback by Ionians and three late converted tries by Chapman, James Barnard and Richard Johnson gave them the bonus-point win.

Harrogate 37 Morley 19

After an error-strewn opening from both sides, Harrogate gradually took control though the final scoreline distinctly flattered them.

Morley competed right to the end and can count themselves unlucky not to have gained at least a bonus point.

The opening score came from Dan Harland stealing a Morley line-out. Jamie Broadley then made an incisive break which was carried on by Mike Aspinall and Noel Miniken scored in the corner.

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Aspinall’s conversion seemed to herald a big Harrogate win but, almost immediately, Morley were back on level terms. Harrogate were penalised for holding and a quickly taken penalty resulted in Peter Martin’s try, converted by Ben Johnson.

Playing with the wind behind them, Harrogate had the better of the following exchanges but Morley played a full part in a highly competitive period.

The stalemate was broken by a Ryan Peacey’s break from an attacking line-out. Scrum-half Phil Wickham carried on the move at pace and second-row Gareth Lodge crashed over for another converted try.

The same pattern of play followed with the home backs and forwards combining well to create space for Toby Quarendon’s try in the corner.

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This completed the first half scoring as three apparently penetrative kicks from Aspinall were caught by the strong wind and went dead.

Morley went straight on the offensive from the restart but were penalised for holding on and Aspinall extended Harrogate’s lead with a well-taken penalty into the gale.

A series of well-controlled forward drives followed and Lodge latched on at the end to score his second try and earn Harrogate a bonus point.

More home attacks followed but a handling error was capitalised on by Morley’s backs and winger Bradley Marshall scored an excellent converted try.

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Morley’s resurgence continued and a period of sustained pressure ended with a well-taken try from outstanding flanker Tom Moody.

Harrogate’s containing tactics continued to work well and, crucially, they won a Morley scrum from which Aspinall extended the lead with a smartly taken drop goal.

Tight head prop Andy Fraser scrummaged dominantly and his powerful play was a big factor in creating this opportunity.

Morley continued to press but their efforts foundered on strong defence.

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Luke Edwards made a try-saving turnover on the line and Harrogate ran the ball out of defence.

Quick hands released the ball to Broadley, who powered through for an outstanding 45-metre converted try to make the final score 37-19.