Hull Ionians had the slope advantage and the wind at their backs for the first half and started well maintaining possession and getting within 5 metres to earn a penalty at the posts converted by Max Titchener. Five minutes later a penalty from halfway came back in field and rolled dead giving Canterbury a scrum on halfway instead. Their backs combined well using quick ball to send Ricky MacIntosh under the posts, Alex Meads converting.
Hull Ionians restart was a perfect deep kick to give a line-out 5 metres out. The hosts managed a catch and drive to reach the 22 but then their kick ahead failed to find touch, I’s ran it straight back and after the forwards were held short moving it wide saw Lewis Minikin run through to score, Max Titchener adding the goal.
Hull Ionians continued to play the much better rugby but with defences tight it was hard to break through. After 35 minutes Ben Bell launched a drive to the line but was hauled down short but James Sanderson picked up and powered on through a triple tackle to ground the ball to score to lead 15-7 at the break but would it be enough.
The third quarter saw I’s retain the ball well and drive up into the 22. On the couple of occasions they did lose the ball it was kicked deep and I’s run straight back, Lewis Minikin proving elusive but making sure he linked up when finally tackled. On the hour I’s moved the ball wide with Alex Torkington giving Will Stowe space down the wing but the cover stopped him just short.
With 15 minutes to go Canterbury finally gained some good ball and used it well to score in their favourite right hand corner through fullback Max Craven. 10 minutes later they created a carbon copy of the try by centre Dwayne Corcoran to take the lead, Kyan Braithwaite converting both.
With three minutes to go they made the game safe with a Braithwaite penalty and I’s closed the match pushing hard to score with frequent penalties helping them gain ground but no cards and no score.
Match preparation was hampered by no recognised scrum half being available but Luke Thundercliffe stepped into the role he normally only does to briefly cover yellow cards or injury and had an excellent hard working game playing out of position.