Hull Ionians 25 Wharfedale 32

Wharfedale notched their second away victory but did not have it all their own way against a side who had lost all seven of their league matches.

It followed the script in the first half as three tries, plus clinical kicking by Tom Barrett, saw the Dalesmen to a comfortable 22-8 lead.

But the hosts were reinvigorated after the break and drew level at 25-25. Had home kicker Richard Hayes not failed with a straightforward penalty, Ionians would have led a match for the first time this season.

That the Greens escaped with a somewhat fortunate victory was due to lightning reaction by flanker Aaron Myers who, with four minutes remaining, stunned home players with a snap tap-penalty and 20-metre dash for the line.

The opening quarter was all Wharfedale. They penned Ionians in their own half, and a forwards’ try, No 8 Rob Baldwin crashing over (4 mins), plus a Barrett penalty (8) was the least their supremacy warranted.

Home spirits were lifted by Hayes towering penalty (21), but the Greens continued in general command. Ionians were probably lucky to avoid conceding a penalty try when Dale winger Josh Prell was impeded feet from the line (28), but the second try arrived four minutes later, winger Dan Scarborough collecting a cross-kick from Barrett after a fumble by full-back Sam Wilson.

Barrett converted that try, plus Scarborough’s second (37). Inbetween, Ionians rallied to force a controlled driven try (34), claimed by flanker Mark Wigham.

A determined surge by Ionians on the restart brought an unlucky penalty miss by Hayes – his kick striking both posts! The centre overcame that disappointment with a splendid try (42), adding the conversion for 15-22.

Barrett and Hayes swapped penalties before Ionians’ deserved equalising score (65), prop Toby Williams bludgeoning his way to the line.

The finely balanced game then swung end-to-end in a tense climax, Myers’ inspiration finally grabbing the spoils for the visitors.