Another week, another win. Hull Ionians, sat at the top of National 2, fought off a sustained offensive from a dominant Otley pack to clinch victory, hanging on to the visitors’ coat tails until superior fitness told and a late score settled the encounter and secured the points.
Otley caught Ionians cold when quick hands set winger Alex Beaumont free to run in under the sticks, Ben Smith converted for an early 7 point lead. Ionians hit back after 15 minutes, with Ben Stephenson finishing off a catch and drive, following a period when Ionians were camped close to the Otley line.
Otley’s response was immediate. Ionians were pressed back from the re-start and Otley gained possession from a turn-over. Several sorties from the pack were held but momentum was with the visitors and the forwards ploughed over to restore the advantage, Adam Malthouse claiming the first of a brace.
The lead was equally short lived. Scrum-half Adam Thomas directed affairs at the back of another well set and expertly controlled catch and drive and was on hand to ground the ball after travelling over from 20m out. Lewis Minikin added the goal from off the touchline to tie the score at 14 all.
Malthouse bagged his second for Otley after Ionians were subjected to a sustained assault from the visitors scrum close to their line. An interminable period of play saw Ionians persistently penalised at the scrum and Ben Bell carded. On the evidence of the refereeing decisions Ionians could easily have conceded a penalty try well before Otley gained restitution but they were eventually able to move the ball wide and back inside for the flanker to cross under the posts. Otley went to the break leading 14 – 21.
Ionians made a better start to the second half. A promising break from Ed Falkingham floundered on the end of a poor pass, but despite still suffering at the set piece gained parity with excellent inter-play involving Tom Stephenson and Steve Slingsby leading to a try to prolific winger Sam Wilson.
Ionians made good use of players off the bench, with Sam Crane particularly influential at scrum-half, and they began to assert themselves. Falkingham, who was consummate at the back of a retreating scrum, gathered the ball and raced away, the backs worked play into the Otley 22 where another successful catch and drive led to the fourth try, credited to Ben Carlile, to put them into the lead.
The Otley pack, spent after their exertions, were unable to find a response in the remaining 10 minutes. With the final whistle beckoning Lewis Minikin, impressive off the tee all afternoon, accepted a simple penalty to put the result beyond doubt, Ionians victorious 31 – 21.
The December fixtures look less threatening but there is likely to be no let up as the upcoming teams try to secure their league status, starting with the trip to Preston Grasshoppers next week. I look forward to seeing you there. ..