Local RU: Otley put in battling display at Hull but leaders hit back to claim victory

Two tries from flanker Adam Malthouse and one from winger Alex Beaumont helped Otley to a 21-14 lead at half-time with Ionians staying in touch thanks to hooker Ben Stephenson and scrum-half Adam Thomas touching down.

But the second half belonged to Hull Ionians, with right winger Sam Wilson touching down on 47 minutes, before replacement Ben Carlile raced in with 10 minutes to go.

Ionians centre Lewis Minikin had a good day with the boot, kicking all four conversions and a penalty to finish with a 100 per cent record.

Sheffield Tigers battled back from 19-0 down to record a 35-26 victory at Yorkshire rivals Wharfedale. The hosts came out of the blocks well, with centre Harry Bullough having a try converted by stand-off Jack Blakeney-Edwards after just three minutes, and they extended their lead with Bullough’s second try and another from No 8 Josh Burridge.

However, Tigers hit back with centres Tom Hart and Jamie Broadley touching down, Joe Duffy’s conversions pulling it back to 19-14 at half-time.

Flanker Kain Rix had his try converted by winger Robert Davidson to take the lead, but Wharfedale hit back with flanker Ken Houghton scoring and Blakeney-Edwards converting to put the hosts 26-21 ahead. But a late flurry of points from Tigers – with Broadley completing his hat-trick with tries on 67 and 74 minutes – gave them the victory. Hull stay top of the North Premier league after beating Yorkshire rivals Harrogate 20-14. Harry Barnard scored one of Harrogate’s tries.

Tenth-placed Ilkley beat the side below them, Lymm, 20-18 in a tense affair. Sandal were hosted by Alnwick but couldn’t come away with a win as the home side put three tries past the Yorkshire side in the 20-13 victory.