Ionians hang on despite suffering jitters

NOT for the first time this season the spectator was treated to a high-scoring spectacle at Brantingham Park.

It had looked like another Hull Ionians defeat snatched from the jaws of victory but thanks to some last-ditch defending and a huge slice of luck, they claimed the four points.

The sides traded penalties before Esher worked winger Spencer Sutherland over for the first try. Lee Millar cut the deficit with a long-range penalty and Sam Wilson put the home side ahead with a 50-yard dash to the line. Two further penalties for the hosts gave them a 17-8 lead at the break.

Isaac Green extended the lead for Ionians early in the second half and from the restart, put Dan Tai over for their second try. Green converted from wide out to put Ionians 27-8 up.

Esher rose to the challenge and persistence from the pack saw prop Karl Furey burst through to score, only for Ionians to reply almost immediately with a close-range effort from Laurence Cowen.

Esher then launched an unlikely comeback. Good interplay allowed Charlie Gossington to finish a superb move and they came straight back for Peter Synott to gallop through a gaping hole andpull the score back to 32 -29.

Esher should have sewn it up at the death but botched a three on one, before Ionians booted the ball into the heavens.