Hull Ionians 48: Tries: Stuart Newman (7, 35), Joe Makin (25), James Tincknell (51, 64), Lewis Minikin (58), Mark Wigham (68); Conversions: Lewis Minikin (8, 26, 52, 59, 65); Penalties: Lewis Minikin (33);

Leicester Lions 30: Tries: Laurence Warren-West (1, 15), Devon Constant (11), Harry Key (22), Ed Sumpter (71); Conversions: Harry Key (12); Penalties: Harry Key (39);

It was a sunny afternoon for Leicester Lions visit to Hull Ionians at Brough, East Yorkshire. With the recent dry conditions and the sun the pitch was ideal for running rugby. Earlier in the season Lions had beaten Ionians, 17-0, in the reverse fixture, so both sides were looking for a win. Ionians had the opportunity of taking the league title, as they were in the leading position.
Lions took possession from the kick-off and smart play led to Laurence Warren-West going over for a try, without Ionians touching the ball.
Ionians soon retaliated with a take at the line-out, with James Newman driving over for a try on 7 minutes, with Lewis Minikin adding the conversion to take a 7-5 lead.
Lions took control of the next fifteen minutes of play with their backs ravaging the Ionians’ defence. Powerful running play by Lions produced tries for Devon Constant, Laurence Warren-West and Harry Key, with Harry Key adding a conversion, to take the score to a Lions’ lead of 7-22.
Ionians came back into the game with a Joe Makin drive for a try, with Minikin against adding the conversion.
On 33 minutes Minikin added a penalty for Ionians.
On 35 minutes Newman added his second try for Ionians, levelling the score at 22-22.
On 39 minutes Key scored a penalty for Lions to take them into the break having re-established their lead at 22-25.

Half Time: Hull Ionians 22 Leicester Lions 25

Ionians started to take control of the game in the second half with their power showing in the set pieces.
Lions managed to hold out for the first ten minutes of the second half, but Ionians power took them in front with the forward play to the fore. In a twenty minutes slot Ionians forward play led to tries by James Tincknell, Minikin, Tincknell again and Mark Wigham, with Minikin adding three conversions, opening up a lead for Ionians of 48-25.
Much to their credit, Lions persevered in the last ten minutes of the game and were rewarded by a powerful drive by Ed Sumpter who went over for Lions fifth try to make the score 48-30.
In the last minute of the game Ionians’ Tom Peters was yellow carded for foul play.

Full Time: Hull Ionians 48 Leicester Lions 30

It was a good start by Leicester Lions, especially in the first quarter, allowing them to take a 7-22 lead. As the game progressed Ionians’ forward power dominated the game. The thrilling game with seven tries to Ionians and five to Lions, kept the crowd on its toes.

The win for Ionians guaranteed them to be league champions, with a game to go. They will be promoted the National League 1 for next season.

Lions’ head coach, Andy Key, said, “This was a hard fought contest. Lions started well scoring four tries before half-time, showing our running attacking ability. In the second half they dominated in the set pieces, making things difficult for us. We wish Ionians all the best for next season in National League 1”.

Following the game Leicester Lions were in twelfth position in National League 2 North on 71 points, with Hull Ionians as league champions, with a game to go. Many congratulations to Hull Ionians.

Teams – Order 15-9, 1-8, 16-20
Hull Ionians: Callum Smith, Sam Wilson, Lewis Minikin, James Tincknell, Stephen Slingsby, Tom Stephenson, Sam Crane, David Laverick, Ben Stephenson, Stephen Johnson, Joe Makin, Tom Peters, Stuart Newman, James Sanderson, Mark Wigham
Replacements: Ben Carlile, Ben Bell, Edward Falkingham, Sam Rees, Luke Thundercliffe

Leicester Lions: Max Titchener, Laurence Warren-West, Sam Benjamin, Harry Key, Devon Constant, Harry Glynn, Tom Aviss, George Taylor-Walker, Oli Taylor, Dan Ali, Ollie Tapscott, Ed Sumpter, Simon Johnson, Jonny Murdoch, Dan Martin
Replacements: Will Roberts, Curtis Weaver, Alex Smit

For further details consult www.ncarugby.com