Both sides had early problems in understanding Mr Edmunds’ law interpretations and 3 penalty goal chances went begging. Dan Porter missed 2 absolute sitters for Hull and James Rothwell just failed with a more long range effort for Harrogate.

Quick turnover ball set up Harrogate’s first serious attack and prop, Jimmy Browne, made a thunderous 40 metre midfield break. Just short of the line, he passed to the supporting Rothwell who was tackled in the act of scoring and forced to knock on. However, the pressure continued and a long Jamie Broadley break was carried on by Mike Aspinall who scored in the corner. Rothwell landed a superb touchline conversion.

A strong Harrogate drive then put pressure on an Ionians scrum and scrum half, Tom Bugge, disrupted the home possession. Quickly recycled ball led to dazzling Harrogate backs inter-passing which ended with a try for Rothwell. The next one came from a trademark Ryan Peacey break from the back of a lineout. Bugge was at his heels to take the scoring pass and make the half time score 0-17.

The home forwards tightened up their game after the interval so the Harrogate backs had fewer opportunities to strut their stuff. Nevertheless, they were always a potent threat and a brilliant Aspinall cross kick almost led to a Broadley try but he was adjudged to have knocked on over the line. It was something of a surprise that Hull were the next to score but a powerful Gary Stephenson run took him through some below average tackling for a fine individual try.

The Harrogate pack then won another turnover ball and Bugge made a half break before putting in an accurate chip kick. Broadley gathered the ball at pace and left the defence for dead to score in the corner. Aspinall had taken over the place kicking duties and landed an excellent conversion. Further Harrogate attacks followed and the game’s final score came from a smartly taken Aspinall drop goal.

Hull Ionians: Slingsby, Stephenson, Leaf, Whittam, Duxbury, Porter, Thomas, Jenkins, Forth, Thundercliffe, Makin, Sanders, Kench, Wigham, Hague

Harrogate: Smithies, Rothwell (Rock 55), Dench, Bottomley, Broadley, Aspinall (Carmichael 79), Bugge, Browne, Maycock (Weaver 75), Tampin (Watt 75), Brady, Lodge, Wilson, Heaton, Peacey (Enston 58)

Referee: Dave Edmunds (RFU)

Match report by Bill Barrack

Photos by David aspinall