Irvine’s treble is just the tonic for Ionians

SO the relegation battle goes down to the wire.

Ionians did what was required with a maximum haul in this thrilling encounter at Brantingham Park, scoring six tries in the victory over visitors Old Albanian.

Ionians took an early lead with a fine individual try from Callum Irvine with the visitors levelling through Harry Bate after 12 minutes. An Isaac Green penalty nudged the hosts ahead and then was on hand to finish an excellent move and convert to put Ionians 17-7 clear.

On the half hour Albanians reduced the deficit with Craig Dowsett haring away to score but despite being reduced to 14 men Irvine struck a drop goal to close the half with Ionians leading 20 -14.

The home side made a decisive start to the second half; backrower James Sanderson was heavily involved in pinning the visitors on their own line allowing Irvine to step his way through for his second try.

Restored to a full complement Ionians extended the lead with another fine try, Lewis Minikin the scorer.

Albanians conjured up a reply from a mix -up at the line-out, Billy Johnson involved twice before crossing, and further cut the deficit with a try for Matt Miles from a line-out drive.

But Ionians made the game safe with Irvine’s hat trick try before Cotterill put extra gloss on the result with a deserved try with the final play of the game.