15th September  2007 - Bradford & Bingley 27  Hull Ionians  20 - National 3 North     pictures

Hull Ionians once again came away with a bonus point for a narrow defeat in a game that could have gone either way – a draw would have been a fairer result. While Hull Ionians forwards often held the upper hand the execution skills of the Bees back division provided the winning edge for the home team.

Hull Ionians somehow were penalised out of the game for the first 15 minutes, every good position somehow turning into a free kick or penalty which set the Bees on their way. After 4 minutes play a deep kick off the Hull line saw the referee surprisingly call advantage over as Bees fielded and ran it straight back to force an attacking line-out. The initial drive was held but Neil Spence peeled off to crash through for a try. Hull Ionians forwards took the game to the Bees typified by a fine drive from prop Chris Starling. Although the Bees gained the defensive 5 metre scrum Rob Kench charged down the clearance kick and dived in to level the scores.

The Bees wasted a 3 man overlap with a deep cross kick that went dead then in reply a long range penalty from James Ferguson bounced off the post but was driven back by the follow up, but became a free kick to the Bees and they cleared their line. Offside at the ruck conceded a penalty goal to Tom Rhodes but good forward work earned a penalty for James Ferguson to level the scores. Then 5 minutes later the secure forward platform set up space for Mike Cawthorn to break and send Sean Hannah in for a try and a 13-8 lead. However just before the break a yellow card reduced Hull Ionians pack to 7 men and the Bees used the platform to drive then spin the ball wide for right wing Ali Chalmers to score on the overlap, Rhodes converting from the touchline to retake the lead.

Soon after the restart Hull Ionians had scrum half James Greene limping off the pitch and before the backs could reorganise themselves the Bees spun it quickly wide again for another try for Ali Chalmers. The Bees were having the far better match with their 15-man rugby and struck again on 70 minutes after dropped passes conceded an attacking position. The attacking line-out saw a concerted drive with Neil Spence driven over, Rhodes converting for a 14 point lead. Hull Ionians forwards now stepped up their game and took control. A good drive set up Richard Wigham to break, supported by Mike Cawthorn who sent Richard Moorhouse under the posts. James Ferguson converted to bring the scores within 7 points for the loosing bonus point, but further good forward work could not level the scores.