Relegated Bees have pack to build on in bid to bounce back

On the evidence of this performance, there is not too much wrong with the pack, who set up a platform which should have at least meant they went in at half-time with a clear advantage.

Instead, it was Huddersfield who led 17-3, having scored on each occasion they visited Bees territory.

The home defence was woeful in stopping both Huddersfield tries as Matt Clarke helped himself to scores on 17 and 23 minutes.

With Chris Johnson adding the conversions and an early penalty, the Bees pack must have been utterly bewildered as they had bumped and barged their way deep into Huddersfield territory for most of the opening 40 but had only a penalty from Stuart Dixon to show for their efforts.

The Bees came out for the second period looking fired up and within three minutes had their reward. A quick throw from John Graham to Brett Mitchell was pitched back to the hooker from the young second row and Graham was able to barrel over in the corner.

The Bees maintained the pressure and No 8 Tom Ball crossed on 52 minutes.

Huddersfield managed to lift the seige and began to mount attacks. Their enterprise was rewarded on 63 minutes when Adam Sutcliffe finished off one of the tries of the season as the visitors swept 90 metres downfield without a Bees player getting anywhere near to making a tackle. Johnson added the conversion and a final penalty to wrap up the win.

Hull Ionians 23

Kendal 10

Hull Ionians rounded off their home fixtures with a four-try bonus point victory to clinch survival.

Ionians withstood early pressure before Joe Wright's penalty put them ahead and Steve Slingsby went through on an arcing run to score before Kendal replied with a penalty by Mark Ireland.

After the break, Rob Kench powered over and, on the hour, James Greene's tap and go helped him cross and make the game safe despite being tackled.

A solo break by Ireland took Kendal to the line where the pack drove Liam Hayton in for a try, Ireland converting from the touchline.

But in stoppage time, Ionians drove before spinning the ball wide and Wright sent Slingsby in for the bonus point try which took them one place up the table well clear of the relegation zone.