Hull Ionians smashed the record books as they put a difficult season behind them to secure their place in National 2 North. They were well aware to survive in National 2 North they had to win not only with a try bonus point but also a good points difference and they did it in style.
They scored 14 tries, Lewis Minikin scoring 5 as well as 12 conversions to amass 49 points, a new club record and equalling the National 2 North record set in 2010. Sam Pocklington also ran in 4 tries with further tries from Alfie Celella, George Mewburn, Josh Britton, Sam Wilson and Will Yates. 94 points is a new 1st XV record, the Ladies team celebrated their promotion while setting the club record of 104 points.
It was a tense wait after the match to confirm the final score at Dorking that saw Wimbledon as the fifth team relegated from National 2, finishing below Hull Ionians on points difference between for and against.
Hull Ionians had their first score in the second minute, Will Yates receiving the kick-off and making 50 metres before full support play saw Alfie Celella clear to score in the corner.
Hull Ionians maintained their high work rate and a break by Sam Pocklington sent Lewis Minikin to the posts to add an easy conversion.
Callam Sanderson caught the restart and broke up field where the ball was moved wide for Minikin to run in again. The restart again saw possession retained and recycled well ending with George Mewburn breaking clear to score, securing the bonus point try in just 15 minutes.
Conceding too many penalties saw Huddersfield with a 5 metre line-out from which Andy Rollins drove over, Ed Barber converting.
Huddersfield received the restart and kicked the ball downfield for Sam Pocklington to race away to score his first try.
Once again penalties saw Huddersfield with a 5 metre line-out ending with Thiu Barnard driving over, Barber again converting. Huddersfield then attempted to run the ball out of their own half but drop the ball for Minikin to sweep in and run in his hat-trick.
Huddersfield closed the half once again helped by penalty lines-out with centre Joe Hawdon crashing over by the posts, Barber again converting to make it 40-21 at the break.
Hull Ionians opened the second half with Josh Britton intercepting a Huddersfield pass to run under the posts then 5 minutes later a dropped Huddersfield pass saw Celella sweep it up to send Pocklington in for try number eight.
Nine minutes into the half I’s scored again with a break by Pocklington sending Minikin to the posts again then good support play was completed by Minikin adding his fifth try, equaling the club record set by Neil Windas in 1998.
George Mewburn was the next player to break through with good support play releasing Pocklington for his hat-trick soon followed by him scoring his fourth try on the day.
Hull Ionians knew they needed a big win to improve their survival chances and running the ball from their own 22 released Sam Wilson to break on the right then race across to the left corner to cross and run nearer the posts.
Huddersfield decided it was time to hang onto the ball to slow down the scoring and finally made the length of the field for Loz Sanderson to cross for their bonus point try but Hull Ionians had the final say with a break by Minikin releasing Yates to score the final try and Minikin add his twelfth conversion.