By BRIAN NORMAN

Hull Ionians............ 21 Sheffield Tigers.... 17
THIS game was as every bit as close as the scoreline suggests.
Tigers made a lively start and it was no surprise when Mark Ireland opened the scoring.
Ionians then hit their stride and Lewis Minikin combined with Josh Britton to put Sam Wilson over for a try.
Sam Pockington added Ionians second when he capitalised on a moment of hesitation from his opposite number at the back of a scrum to steal the ball and run away and score.
The hosts were then forced on to the defensive but conceded two tries just before half-time....