Push for promotion still on as Ionians cruise to comfortable away triumph

Alex Forth was first to touch down for the visitors and James Ferguson added the conversion. Another try followed on 21 minutes from Michael Ferguson, and Ferguson kicked a penalty just before the break as Ionians took a 15-0 lead.

After the break Bromsgrove hit back with a converted try and penalty, but Ionians had the final word with Mark Wigham’s 61st-minute try being converted by Ferguson.

Elsewhere, leaders Stourbridge made it nine wins from nine with a 36-22 win against Hull.

Fly-half Caolan Ryan put the table-toppers ahead, putting the ball down for the first try of the game after 22 minutes before flanker Ejike Uzoigwe doubled their lead. Hull hit back through Jamie Barnard who went over after a blistering 60-yard run, before Anthony Maka and Greg Lound ensured Hull continued to compete with Stourbridge with a try and a penalty, although Stephen Slingsby’s try two minutes from time was little more than a consolation.

Sheffield Tigers battled to a 32-27 victory at Luctonians, after the home side opened up a 12-point lead at the break with Alex Drage and Pete Swatkins scoring Tigers’ tries.

But it was a different story after the break with Tigers closing the gap. Callum Mackenzie touched down and Tom Outram kicked the conversion and a penalty to close the gap to 24-22.

Luctonians extended their lead to 27-22 with a penalty, but on 72 minutes Tigers took the lead with Jamie Broadley’s try being converted by Outram, who added a penalty shortly after.

Otley were left frustrated against Leicester Lions, going down 27-23.

Ben Cooper struck a third-minute penalty, but the visitors took control soon after opening their account with Matthew Tuckey’s try, although David Freeman responded swiftly for the home side.

But the Lions then scored three tries in nine minutes – Luke Veebel, Joseph Marston and Sam Dimmick going over with Jonathan Boden converting two.

Chris Gemmell went over for Otley before Dimmick scored a drop-goal after the break. Otley then came roaring back, first through James Wood and James Twomey – but they ran out of time before they could overhaul their opponents.

Huddersfield grabbed two points but still came out on the wrong side of a 32-30 scoreline at home to fellow strugglers Westoe.

The home team scored tries through centre Michael Clark and a converted score by flanker Ben Hoyle to be well in touch at 17-12 down by half-time. Westoe pressed ahead with a converted try early in the second half but Huddersfield came back with a penalty from Tom Owen a second try for Clark to make it 24-20.

Westoe scored again before Owen added a second penalty on 63 minutes – a score cancelled out by a Westoe kick. But the home side kept battling, winger David Hall – in his last game for the club – scoring a late converted try for a bonus point.