Green is the hero with late Ionians penalty

ISAAC Green’s late penalty gave Hull Ionians a vital victory against battling Rosslyn Park at the Rock.

Four early penalties and two tries from Lewis Minikin put them in the driving seat before Park’s Benji Marfo and Dan Barnes threatened a comeback, only to be cut short, keeping Park in the relegation fight.

Park flew out the blocks as Marfo swept through after four minutes.

But Ionians scored their first points two minutes later, Green kicking a penalty, before scoring three more in six minutes.

Ionians got their first try after 35 minutes, Minikin finding space, before running from halfway for his second on 40 minutes.

Park were a changed team at half-time, rewarded on 50 minutes as Barnes drove over the line.

They narrowed the lead again seven minutes later, Barnes’ run feeding Harry Hudson, before Marfo showed exceptional balance to skip through on the hour.

But Ionians weren’t done yet as Green kicked his third penalty on 67 minutes to put them one point ahead.

Park came straight back with Charlie Amesbury scoring from driving play four minutes later, before Ionians’ Richard Stout responded on 75 minutes.

Leonard’s late penalty then put Park ahead, but foul play in the scrum by Park allowed Green to kick for a dramatic late away victory.