3rd November  2007 - Preston Grasshoppers 17  Hull Ionians  21 - National 3 North     pictures

Hull Ionians tenacious defence combined with clinical finishing of their scoring chances once again earned them victory. Hoppers had 80% of the possession and played many prolonged periods in the attacking 22 but struggled to turn pressure into points. They had their chances, but both their goal kickers were off form missing 3 easy penalties plus two normally easy conversions, while James Ferguson showed them how to do it, missing 1 early strike but later landing a touchline conversion as well as a 45 metre penalty.

Hull Ionians received the kick-off, were pinged for not releasing quick enough and Paul Bailey missed his first easy strike from the 22. 5 minutes later obstruction after a counter attack kick through gave Paul Bailey a repeat attempt which also went wide. However Hoppers ran the 22 drop out straight back and good support play ended with Russ Flynn scoring in the corner, Bailey again missing the goal - should have been 13-0 in 6 minutes! Hull Ionians at last manage to get their hands on the ball and used it to good effect. Forward pressure was held, but then a free kick was recycled quickly twice and quick hands set up Sean Hannah to crash through tackles and gain the try out wide, James Ferguson first kick also going wide - but he didn't miss again.

Straight from the restart Hull Ionians clearance kick was somehow charged down despite a deep pass and with the ball coming out of the sun Sean Hannah couldn't see it allowing a lucky bounce straight into the arms of Paul Bailey for a gift of a try which he managed to convert from under the posts. Hull Ionians eventually gained possession again and quick rugby gained ground and gained a penalty for James Ferguson to turn round 12-8 down.

A good start to the second half saw Hoppers attack the line but held out and the pressure cleared with a penalty. Paul Spivey took the line-out, Chris Fores drove on and one of many penalties against both teams for killing the ball saw James Ferguson take the 3 points. Hull Ionians maintained the initiative always looking the greater threat when they had the ball. Rob Kench made ground then moving it wide saw Tim Nixon run to the corner then step inside the flailing arms cover tackle to score on his full match debut. James Ferguson then showed Hoppers what can be done by adding the touch line conversion.

Hoppers attacked again and once again wasted easy chances with a penalty 30 metres out in front of the posts and then with a forward scoring pass. Hull Ionians took play back upfield and once again the tackler was pinged for not rolling away after the tackle, with Hoppers centre Andrew Barnett receiving the yellow card and James Ferguson rubbing salt in the wound with a 45 metre penalty goal from the touch line, to take the visitors into a 21-12 lead on the hour mark.

The final quarter was played almost entirely with Hoppers in the attacking 22, helped by Hull Ionians also collecting a yellow card, prop Adi Longbone being ruled to have collapsed a maul 15 metres out. Superb tackling by backs and forwards stopped everything Hoppers threw at them, just one score coming when Hoppers drove a 5 metre line-out over for a try by prop Richard Carleton, this time Gerhard Boshoff missing the goal. A further 15 minutes of siege was resisted before Hull Ionians broke out to run and drive right up the field where Hoppers were pinned down until the final whistle.