Homage to Ionians as they hold on with 13

IONIANS’ solid defence, even while down to 13 men in the first half, was the bedrock of a crucial bonus-point win.

Their quick-phase play and back-row’s turnover count were also key, while lock Thomas Peters gave a superb display in a Yorkshire derby which gives Ionians a five-point gap at the top and the box-seat to bounce straight back into National One.

Director of rugby Martyn Wood said: “We we’re clinical in a few areas, particularly out wide. Our defence was the key. We were down to 13 men for two yellow cards.

“James Sanderson was excellent. He was all over the pitch and should have scored after a 60 metre run. When we got front-foot ball, we looked really dangerous and seemed to be fitter towards the end.

“But six-games left is still a lot of rugby to be played and all I’m thinking about now is a tough game at Sedgley Park next week.”

Ionians played positively straight from the off, with centre James Tincknell and wing Toni Kuku shooting down the right to put them deep in Huddersfield’s 22-metre area.

A short kick from Huddersfield full-back Thomas Hodson to opposite number Lewis Minikin led to wing Stephen Slingsby going past four players before two quick recycles by scrumhalf Sam Crane opened up Kuku to score.

For the next half-hour it was all Huddersfield, but they couldn’t break the line of quartered shirts.

Ionians blindside Mark Wigham was sin-binned for repeatedly not rolling away and was joined by openside Sanderson.

Despite a try-saving tackle on centre Will Milner, whose run was destined to score in the corner, Sanderson also deliberately knocked on.

Up against 13 players, Huddersfield blindside Rob Sykes and hooker Mark Chivers both went whiskers short before the ball went wide and, despite fumbles by fly-half Chris Johnson and centre Mark Pease, prop Harry Whitfield scored in the corner.

Immediately after, Ionians playmaker Tom Stephenson broke and a timely offload to centre Callum Smith allowed him to dive over in the corner.

Handling errors slowed the game, but after Sanderson ran 60 metres from deep, No.8 Ed Falkingham dotted down.

From a line-out, Huddersfield replacement Thomas Owen powered over.

But, as the home-side tired Hull replacement Adam Brown made crucial yards and opened up the field for Smith, Ben Carlile and Sanderson to break in and for Minikin to finish.

After Carlile was yellow carded with four minutes to go, Hodson ran the length of the pitch with wing Lewis Workman in support for Whitfield to score the recycled ball.

Huddersfield coach Gareth Lewis said: “We didn’t reach the levels we’re capable of.

“We played in fits and starts. We’re missing players and were a little one-dimensional in attack when we had a one or twoman advantage.”