By BEN PITKEATHLY

Preston G................ 44
Hull Ionians............35
A TYLER Spence hattrick gave Preston Grasshoppers their first home win of the season in a thrilling encounter.
Spence opened the scoring with an acrobatic finish within four minutes, but Ionians responded through Samuel Pocklington, who capitalised on Jacob Browne’s spillage.
The visitors took the lead when James Thompson scored in a corner after a break from Josh Britton.
The Hoppers reduced the deficit through Browne’s try, but Lewis Minkin slotted three penalties for Ionians to make it 21-1...