Ionians turn up the heat to sink Otley

By NICK DOYLE

Otley ……………………10

Hull Ionians ……….15

Hull Ionians had the better of Otley in a physical encounter.

Ionians director of rugby Graham Steadman said: “The approach play was very good, although we need to be more clinical when they get close to the opposition’s line.”

After a period of pressure in Otley’s half, Ionians gave away a penalty which was kicked to their 22 but Otley lost the line-out. From there Ionians moved forward and a grubber kick put them into Otley’s 22 where they gained a penalty, but lost possession when their line-out went awry.

Ionians kept up the pressure, and while Otley defended stoutly, their penalty count kept them under the thumb and it finally told after 22 minutes when, from a lineout in Otley’s 22, Ionians’ rolling maul guided Ben Stephenson over.

Otley were losing players to injury, and a yellow card after 30 minutes made their position more perilous but they saw the half out.

Ionians showed their intent from the outset in the second half when Nathan Hill attacked from the restart, but it was eventually halted when they held on for too long on Otley’s line.

They were finally rewarded when Calvin Mitchell and Josh Britton linked up to go forward on the left. Ionians’ rolling advanced them further and following patient phase play, James Sanderson crashed over for their econd try, with Lewis Minikin converting on 46 minutes.

Otley looked to hit back and attacked in Ionians 22, but lost out for hanging onto the ball. However, the home side kept the pressure up and from a lineout on Ionians’ 22, they moved the ball right and Clark Wells went over close to the posts. Rowntree’s conversion cut the gap to 12-7.

A penalty got Ionians into Otley’s 22, and after another penalty line-out their quick rolling maul close but they knocked on just before the line.

Otley conceded another penalty and Minikin extended their lead on 67 minutes but the home side quickly responded when Joe Rowntree’s penalty shot went through the posts off the upright to secure the losing bonus point.

Otley head coach Kyle Dench said: “This was an attritional game, and we have come in leaps and bounds since the start of the season.”