National Two (North): Torkington and Reakes unite as Ionians step up title challenge

HULL Ionians maintained their lead with a 26-10 win over Broadstreet, stepping up their game after the break to secure a bonus-point win.

Stand-off Ben Smith touched down on 19 minutes for the home side at Brantingham Park, but eight minutes later prop Henry Sandys also scored a try which pulled Broadstreet level and the 5-5 scoreline stood at the break.

Ionians came out for the second half in determined mood, and after 10 minutes No 8 Dan Hague touched down and centre Chris Reakes converted.

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Replacement Alex Torkington raced in for their third try on 66 minutes, Reakes adding the conversion, and they teamed up again in similar fashion on 72 minutes to make it 26-5 before Gareth Turner scored a late consolation try on 78 minutes.

Huddersfield retained their unbeaten status for 2015 with a hard-earned 24-12 win at close rivals Stourbridge.

Huddersfield had the early encouragement of a penalty from fly-half Chris Bell, but Stourbridge came back with a try out wide to take the lead before scrum-half Jacob Nash found his way over for a converted score.

On the stroke of half-time, winger Elliott Hodgson broke away to reduce the arrears to 
12-10. Nine minutes into the second half, outside centre Ben Morrill went on a solo run, beating three men on his way to the line and leaving Bell to convert.

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The visitors wrapped up the points at the death when winger David Hall managed to get past the defence to score out wide.

Otley lost 40-12 at Chester as injuries took their toll, Jack Mackie moving to No 10 with both half-backs missing.

With two props also out injured they were in trouble when captain Adam Blades had to be substituted on 28 minutes. By this time, they were 10-5 down, Harry Hudson scoring for Otley.

No 8 Guy Ford scored a hat-trick of tries within 57 minutes for the hosts and the final try came from Otley replacement Harry Wales before Mackie kicked a penalty.

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Harrogate had the wind at the backs in the first half and went 11-0 up before moving on to a 
28-10 home win against Hull.

Stand-off Callum Irvine gathered his own chip for the game’s opening try. Two penalties from Joe Rowntree made it 11-0 with 20 minutes of the half remaining.

Hull defended well before Ben Sullivan’s break eased pressure.

Greg Lound’s penalty opened Hull’s account after the break before Willem Enslin drove over for the hosts.

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Harry Parrish then outstripped the cover for a try and Harrogate’s bonus-point try came as Kerry Wood squirmed over and Irvine converted.

Hull persevered and experienced prop Paul Sewell crashed over from a quickly taken penalty.

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