Hoppers were looking to continue their good recent form, winners last time out at fellow Lancashire side Rossendale but knew it wouldn't be easy, Hull Ionians flying high in 4th.

It was the perfect start for Hoppers, two tries in the first three minutes for the hosts, Tom Ailes and Sam Freeman both going over. Freeman converting both tries to give Hoppers an early 14-0 lead.

Freeman added a penalty before the visitors got on the board themselves Oliver Rimmington with the try which Ben Smith couldn't convert.

At the heart of the action, Freeman then shrugged off a tackle to score his second of the game on the brink of half-time.

Ionians threatened a comeback at the start of the second half when Smith converted AP Newell's try.

Hugo Castle and Owain Williams had other plans however, both scoring tries which were converted by Freeman. Castle on the end of a nicely worked team try whilst Williams used all his pace to get past the defensive line of the visitors.

The Yorkshire side made use of Hoppers being on the receiving side of two yellows to Tom Ailes and Danny Maher with Newell getting his second try of the game.

There was then a lengthy stoppage when Louis Singleton looked to have suffered a nasty knee injury and had to be stretched off.

Hoppers made sure to pull away in the final minutes, a Freeman penalty followed by two great solo tries.

First was Zephyr Maher who received the ball directly from the kick before he put his blistering pace to good use leaving the Hull Ionians players for dead to score.

It was almost déjà vu for Hoppers, the next kick finding its way to Ben Haigh who also managed to evade any Ionians tackles to score and round off a perfect afternoon for Dan Orwin's side.

Hoppers will be looking to end the season with a win when they head to Billingham next time out.

Louis Jefferson