Bradford & Bingley 37, Hull Ionians 10; by Bill Marshall.

This result intensified the battle for second place in Thwaites North Division One.

Bradford and Bingley are now only a point behind Hull Ionians, who still have a game in hand, and both clubs are confident they will have the 'honour' of finishing runners-up behind prospective champions Tynedale.

Bees winger Jeremy Marr said: "Our aim is to finish second, even though we know there is only one promotion place.

"At the moment we are third, but if we don't concentrate we could easily find ourselves finishing seventh or eighth - it is that tight."

Marr, whose fitness and concentration levels have both improved this season, added: "This was the first time in about a month we have played a real running game, and conditions were perfect.

"If we play like this at home we can clean up any side in the division - even Tynedale.

"When we are on our game we are unstoppable, and Tynedale could be in for a shock given decent weather and a decent pitch when they come here on April 8.''

As for his own form, Marr admitted: "I have tried to maintain my fitness levels for longer this season than last.

"But it is such a long season over here compared to New Zealand that it is difficult. The off-season for training here is so short.''

There were two main talking points after the game - the quality of Bradford and Bingley's tries and a second half melee that led to the dismissals of Ionians' fly half Chris Windass and Bees replacement Philip Wright.

The warning signs for Ionians were there early on about the potency of the Bees backs when Marr made a long diagonal run from left to right following a quick throw-in by fellow winger Asa Firth.

And it was Firth who crossed on the right in the 16th minute after the excellent Richard Petyt broke through in midfield.

Marr had the legs of the visiting defence to score in the second half, and then skipper and fly half Petyt finished off the East Yorkshire club with two late choice efforts, throwing three dummies for his first and one for his second.

The initial skirmish that led to the touchline melee on halfway involved Bees lock Ben Grange, who kicked out at an opponent.

In seconds there was a ruckus of players, and referee Brendan Fitzmaurice (Yorkshire Society) dismissed Chris Windass and Wright.

Wright hadn't even been on the field, so that led to the curiosity that, although both sides had had a man sent off, Bradford and Bingley still had 15 on the field, but Ionians had only 14.

The Bees' other points came from centre Matt Inman, who landed three penalties and three conversions.

Ionians managed a penalty by Chris Windass and a try and a conversion by Greg Bone.

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