17th November  2007 - Hull Ionians  32  Altrincham Kersal  5 - EDF Trophy rd 2     pictures    more pictures

Hull Ionians strength and experience proved just too much for a very game Altrincham Kersal team who looked far better than their low league position in North One. Hull Ionians played most of the match in the attacking half but the Kersal defence was giving nothing away easily.

Hull Ionians had use of the wind for the first half and used it to pin Kersal in their 22. A stubborn defence restricted the score to a penalty by Chris Quinn after hands on the ball in the ruck. Kersal then had a period of retained possession and used it well to attack down the wing then kick ahead where Chris Stewart used his pace to make the try look easy. Hull Ionians came back and forced a second penalty for Chris Quinn to retake the lead, but were not working hard enough to score until just before the break when the ball was spun wide from a line-out and Garry Stephenson had just enough space to cut through a gap and run in the first home try, Chris Quinn converting.

Hull Ionians were out early after the break aware of the need to step up their work rate and soon scored with ease. A penalty was kicked to the corner and the resulting catch by Richard Hill saw a walk in drive with Tom Rice touching down the try. Despite the wind against them they still kept Kersal pinned in their own half  but a solid defence was still making life difficult. In the final 10 minutes they finally crossed twice more with a line-out catch and drive off Paul Spivey seeing Chris Starling score a try then a break by James Green created fast second phase with Travis Plumridge making the break with Chris Starling racing up in support to run in his second try, Chris Quinn converting both.