Hull Ionians 38, Otley 39

A last-play try from Tom Rock saw Otley avoid relegation by the skin of their teeth, sending Harrogate down instead.

The Cross Greeners looked to be going down in the third relegation place but scrum half James Munro broke to find Rock in the clear and, after a brief juggle, the fly half raced over to give Otley the win. That meant Harrogate were relegated despite their 25-21 win against Leicester Lions.

Otley’s huge following, which outnumbered the home support, saw their side trailing 33-18 by the break.

But the visitors fought their way back to a one-point lead on 72 minutes, only to leak a try with just a couple of minutes remaining before Rock’s late, late show.

Ionians were soon into their stride as Kerry Wood went over, Glenn Boyd kicking the first of four conversions. Otley struck back through a Curtis Wilson touchdown before tries from winger John Steel and Boyd eased the hosts further ahead.

Christian Georgiou scored a drop-goal after quick thinking before Hull’s Gary Stephenson grabbed a try but there was just time for Munro to redress the balance for Otley.

The visitors started well after the break when a long miss-pass from Rock found Georgiou for another spectacular try and Wilson beat the cover to also touch down.

Any premature celebrations were halted by an Adam Thomas try but then came the stunning finish.