Late tries by Bateman and Marns seal victory and a bonus for Ionians in basement battle

Kendal had a dream start when they received the kick-off, kicked into space and Dave Barton collected to send Jamie Postlethwaite in for a try after 30 seconds, Gian Boardley converting.

The next 10 minutes saw Hull Ionians keep play in the 22 and patiently create space for Mike Bateman to cross, Dave Marshall converting and adding a penalty.

Ionians then span the ball wide, releasing Sam Wilson in his own 22 and he made 50 metres with Joe Sanders supporting to take the scoring pass.

Three minutes later, a chip through should have seen Steve Hamilton pick and score but he knocked on.

The forwards then drove Kendal off their scrum, releasing Sam Wilson to score, Dave Marshall adding both goals.

Both sides had chances to score but Kendal passes went to ground while Ionians gave away careless penalties.

Kendal made a good start to the second half with slow but steady controlled possession and, after three five-metre penalties, were awarded a penalty try, converted by Boardley.

Ionians’ superior fitness had the edge and pressure was once again rewarded, Danny Hague peeling off to score off a five-metre scrum.

Ionians crossed twice late on, a turnover in the 22 releasing Bateman to score again then a chip through was fumbled and Oli Marns dived in to wrap up the victory.

Ionians remain bottom of the table but are just one point behind Otley and two adrift of Harrogate and Kendal.

Otley 20 Caldy 35

With their backs depleted, Otley were unable to reproduce the excellent form of the previous week and, after missing a chance to go ahead on 59 minutes, they faded against an admittedly bigger but no better side who took their chances.

Two early opportunities went begging due to knock-ons but Otley pressure told, producing a fourth-minute penalty for James Twomey.

A penalty at the re-start gave Caldy a five-metre lineout and although they could not find a way over, fly-half John Broxon levelled with a drop-goal.

A defensive lapse at the re-start allowed centre Shaun Woof to break through, finding No 8 Josiah Dickinson in support, winger Andrew Soutar converting the try.

A fine break by No 7 Daniel Temm was halted on the line but quick ball saw fly-half Tom Rock dodge through by the posts for Twomey to convert.

Souter came back with a brace of penalties to secure a half-time lead.

A positive re-start by Otley saw them go close twice before full-back Ben Collins found a gap to score. The conversion attempt went astray and Caldy began to take over.

Winger Andrew Barnish went over on 64 minutes and further converted tries came from Souter and centre Sam Russell, Otley’s late rally bringing a try for winger Curtis Wilson.

The top-of-the-table game between Huddersfield and Loughborough Students, Harrogate’s home game against Hull and Sheffield Tigers’ trip to Luctonians were all postponed due to frozen pitches.