Lowly Fylde put to sword by tough Ionians

HULL Ionians gained a bonus-point win against fellow strugglers Fylde to give them confidence for another basement battle at Loughborough Students next week.

This victory was not without nervous moments, especially when the visitors pulled the score back to 18-14, but Ionians lifted their performance to grab the tries required.

Scoring opportunities were in short supply. Ionians kicked two penalties in the opening half hour, before Joe Allott was on hand to profit from a fortunate bounce to cross close to the posts. Isaac Green added the conversion to put the hosts 13-0 in front.

Despite showing plenty of ambition Fylde had nothing to show for their endeavours and when home winger Sam Rees scored a fine individual try it seemed their luck had run out.

To their credit Fylde continued to play with adventure and Dave Fairbrother scored a converted try to give them hope going into the break.

The visitors were further lifted with a breakaway score from Tom Grimes early in the second half.

But Ionians rallied and scored two tries from Green and James Sanderson, following catch and drives from line-out ball, before Allot claimed his second try, crashing over from close range to end the game with a fifth try to put a slightly flattering gloss on the scoreboard.