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Players were unrecognisable in the mud

Yarnbury 13 Ilkley 27

Such is the esteem and respect, or lack of it, in which this competition is held Ilkley's progress to this stage came as a result of walkovers given them by Ripon and Doncaster Phoenix (some excuse there, as this Yorkshire four outfit are in the Junior Vase final at Twickenham as a result of Saturday's semi final).

Nonetheless Ilkley still have a deal of affection and loyalty to the trophy won by the club on that memorable day at Waterloo when the class of 94 beat the rising stars of Doncaster to bring home the famous Shield.

The Dalesmen put out an almost full strength side, albeit with one or two taking a well-earned rest from the rigours of first fifteen and league combat. Such is the strength in the club that those drafted in to the senior side looked totally comfortable. They will benefit from the experience.

The forecast rain arrived on schedule at around 2 pm. Falling on an already waterlogged pitch the numerous large puddles, which had been filled with a good few tons of sand to get the game played, ominously began to fill. The first hour was played in a deluge which kept most of the spectators in the clubhouse. The touchline at Yarnbury was not a place for the faint-hearted!

The Dalesmen soaked up early home side pressure and escaped from a couple of close calls with solid defence helped by some Yarnbury indiscretions.

The ball was difficult to handle. Anthony Cadman, making a welcome return at number ten, made light of the conditions giving a master class in handling and kicking for position.

A kick out of defence was misfielded in midfield. Yarnbury were turned over. Flyer Liam Frost was released. Even in the horrible conditions his speed was dazzling as he skimmed past the last vestiges of the home defence to score a super try. Peter Shanks skewed his conversion but the Dalesmen had their noses in front 5-0.

Yarnbury replied with a penalty to reduce the arrears to 5-3, Riley being the successful kicker.

Ilkley then enjoyed a long spell of dominance. Reiner Botha crossed from 15 metres out after the deft skills of Cadman had made the space for his unstoppable charge. Shanks nailed this kick to take the score to 12-3.

Ilkley's powerful scrum was beginning to make its presence felt. Fred Matthews, Gareth Archer and John Cooksey were too strong for the Yarnbury front row. Their line-out too was safe and solid all afternoon with the splendid Richard Kemble, Botha and Stuart Brewer hardly losing a ball on their own throw. This up front dominance was the platform on which the result was finally sealed.

Another piece of Cadman vision sent the ball deep into Yarnbury's 22. Their clearance kick failed to find touch. Cadman gathered looked up to see Pete Turner free on the wing. A beautifully weighted kick sat up ten metres out. Turner chased and forced the error. Frost pounced but was fouled in his scoring effort and a penalty try was awarded. Shanks added a penalty goal to make it 22-3.

Yarnbury pulled three points back with a penalty just before half-time to set up an interesting second period.

The referee looked long and hard at the increasing size of the puddles to ensure play could continue. With rain still teeming down he signalled the second period underway.

The half was a war of attrition played out by 30 men barely distinguishable from each other. Even the referee was heard to comment he couldn't tell one side from the other.

Yarnbury came back at Ilkley with something of a vengeance keeping them pinned in their 22 by some powerful play aided and abetted by the inevitable string of penalties conceded, mainly in tight play on the ground. The home side would not normally have come across such determined defence. They were simply unable to get past the solid wall.

Ilkley did break out on several occasions but were penalised too often in scoring situations. However, Brendan Kelley, on for the excellent Turner, took advantage of home side indiscretions to increase the lead to 27-6.

Lesser sides than this well coached and motivated Division Two outfit might have rolled over but Yarnbury are made of sterner stuff. They put the Dalesmen's line under siege once again and finally stalwart Ian Moule broke off the back of a maul to skid off the Ilkley tacklers and score under the posts. The kick was good.

Now Yarnbury needed two scores in five minutes to get back level. That simply was not going to happen and the Dalesmen progress into round four.

l This weekend is another non-league Saturday. Ilkley's second XV entertain Harrogate at Stacks Field, kick-off 3pm. The Saturday following marks the return to the league treadmill with a visit to once top English club Sheffield.

l Ilkley Rugby Club learned this week that their fund raising efforts had been recognised by Twickenham. They have won the prestigious RFU President's XV award for Fundraising.

The initiative and imagination, particularly within the Junior section of the club, has been remarkable as the club step up their efforts to fund the proposed new development at Stacks Field.

It earns them a £500 prize and a contribution to a presentation event.

Their submission included details of the wonderful fund raising efforts either completed or planned in pursuit of a new community clubroom, viewing area and changing facilities. Over £480k out of the £800k target has already been donated/pledged.

Money is coming in from club members, corporate sponsorship and advertising revenue from the Development' brochure.

Additional initiatives devised by club members, totals of which are not included in the £480K, are: Donations in kind/products by club members total over £30k.

The club Chairman led by example and raised over £8k cycling from Liverpool to Leeds along the canal, accompanied only by a retired second row forward who could mend punctures!

The U-7s have sold approx £2k of Whitakers' over-run chocolates and their coach John Redding braved a New Year's Day Sponsored plunge in White Wells.

The U-16s took £300 at their Christmas Fayre and collected £633 bag packing at Marks & Spencer in Guiseley. They hope to repeat the bag packing exercise on the opening day at the new M & S store in Ilkley.

The Ilkley Rugby Club 2008 calendars have been sold mainly by the Minis and Juniors. The value of calendars sold is a magnificent £2,000.

The U-14s braved the White Wells plunge and aim to raise nearly £1,500 from this event.

The U-16s hosted a quiz evening which was an outstanding success and raised nearly £1,000.

The U-11s activities included a Boys Sporting Black Tie Dinner at which parents cooked the meal and served the lads.

Leeds Carnegie player, Scott Armstrong gave a motivational talk at the beginning of the evening. Sumptuous food was followed by entertainment, and the evening ended with a grand raffle. Another fantastically successful event raised £1,000.

The boys invited non-rugby players from school and a number enjoyed it so much they are going to start playing.

The U-17s friends and families helped at the Ilkley Beer Festival and raised £1k on the day. They also have a few more events planned.

The U-7s and 8s held a successful race night. A treasure hunt and a sponsored passing' morning are to be held.

The U-9s are sponsoring a clock with a £600 first prize on offer. This should raise a net £3k. Also cases of fine wine are being sold.

The U-10s and U-12s have a Club Ball planned while the U-13s have a Tesco bag packing morning planned along with other events.

All the Mini/Junior sides are committed to raising a minimum of £2k per age group.

The senior players are also planning a big fund raising event. Marcus Mountcastle, the third XV skipper, is showing the way by doing a parachute jump in May. Martin Johnson and a host of big names have been booked for a Sports Dinner and Auction in May.

9:37am Thursday 20th March 2008

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