22nd September  2007 - Hull Ionians  21 Leicester Lions 20   - National 3 North     pictures     more pictures

Hull Ionians started the game at a blistering pace and scored 15 points in 9 minutes without the Lions getting hold of the ball except at the restart. Lions then started to get their hands on the ball and work their way back into the game, which inevitably eased to a more realistic pace, scoring a try just before the break to give them hope at just 15-10 down. In a dramatic finale they took an 18-20 lead with 7 minutes of normal time to go but a penalty restored the home lead in injury time in a tension packed finale.

Hull Ionians pressure at the start forced an early penalty which James Ferguson kicked from 35 metres. On 5 minutes Ryan Girking ran out of defence on the left wing and then quick ball at the ruck and good support play at pace saw James Ferguson racing down the touchline to score in the corner . 4 minutes later the line was under siege again, Chris Fores was just held at the line but recycled the ball with space out wide for "Centre" Mick Watson to crash over , James Ferguson adding the conversion.

Hull Ionians determination to run everything at the Lions nearly cost them when penalised for not releasing, but Jon Boden's first long range kick fell short. Both sides needed injury replacements then on 28 minutes a superb move saw Mike Cawthorn racing clear but an innocuous peace of crossing that did not help the ball carrier brought the scoring move back for a penalty creating an attacking position for the Lions. Offside at the resulting maul gave Jon Boden an easy 3 points. As injury time was played a penalty on half way saw Jon Boden use the wind to kick to the corner for an attacking line-out. Hull Ionians stole the first but then were trapped offside when the clearance kick came back on them in the wind. The second line-out saw the Lions drive on for a forwards try with Boden adding the goal on the whistle.

After the break the play flowed from end to end but with the Lions slowly gaining the territorial advantage, but too often loosing their own line-out. On 53 minutes the game was disrupted when referee Chris Seeley pulled his hamstring but at least with RFU touch judges Craig Lord could take over with the whistle, with all taking time to settle to the change. On the hour 2 consecutive penalties took Hull Ionians to an attacking line-out and when the drive was stopped illegally James Ferguson struck the goal to reinstate the 8 point lead. Six minutes later a touch judge call of hands in the ruck saw Jon Boden reduce the lead to 5 points then on 73 minutes another penalty was kicked for an attacking line-out and this time the Lions won their ball . After a series of drives were held replacement John Williams peeled and crashed through to level the scores and Jon Boden converted to take the lead. Hull Ionians  again stepped up the pace and a break from James Ferguson should have brought a try but the pass was dropped and the chance lost. Then on 81 minutes flowing rugby saw Andrew Rennison break from his own 22 and then kick to the far 22 when the cover came across. The follow up to the ball saw the Lions fail to release in the tackle and James Ferguson held his nerve to kick the winning goal. A tense few minutes injury time followed, but Hull Ionians reclaimed the ball and finally got it into touch to at the second attempt to claim the victory.