Careless Bishops hang on for their victory

Bishop’s St .... 35 Hull Ionians .... 31

STORTFORD kept up the form they showed last week, dominating the first 20 minutes and taking a 17point lead, which proved, ultimately, to be crucial.

Tries to Chris Smith and Nick Hankin, converted by George Cullen, who also kicked the penalty sandwiched between, accounted for that opening burst.

That was as good as it was going to get, though, as their play got progressively looser. Despite controlling most of the lineouts, they managed to concede possession and territory. It breathed confidence into Hull who were perhaps unlucky to gain only a penalty of their own after 26 minutes.

Ionians showed determination in defence as Stortford mounted a rare but concerted assault on their line but had to settle for a Cullen penalty.

Hull came increasingly into the game and some sloppy home defending at the base of a ruck led to a try under the posts to Ed Falkingham, converted by Isaac Green.

A lacklustre start to the second half let in Ionians for another converted try for James Sanderson to narrow the margin to three.

Stortford pulled themselves together for a time and stretched their lead to 15 with tries to Sam Winter and Johnny Neville, the latter converted by Cullen.

Stortford lost discipline, with Sam Wilson and Tom O’Donnell crossing. A Cullen penalty could not deprive Hull of two bonus points.