Hoppers maintain winning streak

Hoppers came through a physical encounter to win a close game that was dominated by the forwards and the referees whistle. Hull Ionians came with a solid game plan built around an impressive line out and strong pack but Hoppers had just enough quality to ensure a well earned victory.


Things started well for the hosts and they had the opening try inside the first five minutes, Ionians had the ball deep in Hoppers territory but a knock on, something that was to plague the visitors throughout, allowed Hoppers to clear their lines. Mark Edwards launched the clearing kick high and after allowing it to bounce the ever impressive Tom Hughes capitalized, made one man miss and sprinted in from half way. Edwards was successful with the easy conversion and added a drop goal a couple of minutes later to give Hoppers a ten point lead.


The visitors got themselves back into the game through the forwards and a good kicking game with full back Dan Porter taking advantage of the numerous penalties to kick deep into the corners and allow the pack a chance to control the game. This constant pressure lead to a try for Joe Sanders when he was on hand to power over from close range, Porter was then unlucky to hit the post with the conversion. Ionians had the majority of the possession for the remainder of the half but could not convert it into points, thanks to a resilient Hoppers defence, and it was the hosts who stretched their lead just before the half when Edwards landed his second drop goal.


Hoppers started the second half brightly and scored a try within a minute of the restart. After taking in the kick they moved the ball quickly to their flying winger Paul White who made good yards down the left touchline. Edwards then executed a perfectly weighted cross kick into the arms of second row Mark Rigbye and his simple offload put Matt Hughes into space and he had far too much pace for the covering defence, Edwards successful conversion gave Hoppers a dream start.

Ionians were able to wrestle control of much of the possession and territory for the remainder of the game, even though Hoppers had chances to secure victory. The game turned midway through the half when Hoppers back row Will Bordill was shown a yellow card for an infringement at the breakdown, this was one of 27 penalties against the two sides but the only time referee Wayne Falla deemed necessary to remove a player from the field much to the annoyance of the home crowd.


Simon Jenkins was then the beneficiary of the impressive catch and drive that Ionians used to good effect all day and Joe Makin’s converted try with five minutes to go following a good break from second row partner Sanders gave the home crowd a nervous finish, but Hoppers held on and were able to run out the clock and secure victory.