Dalesmen produce rousing second-half display to defeat

Castleford, like Ilkley, had come into the game off the back of two straight defeats, and there was a determination and intensity from both sides as they tried to establish early superiority.

The Ilkley scrummage was strong from the outset but both sides were guilty of handling errors.

Both sides retained a desire to move the ball through the hands, but much of the play became bogged down in midfield.

After ten minutes, with neither side able to take a firm grip on the game, the Dalesmen conceded a penalty which scrum-half Ian Mattison converted to break the deadlock.

The lead proved short-lived as Tom Bills levelled the scores moments later with a smart drop goal.

This is where the half finally opened up.

Castleford went ahead again from a mattison penalty after pressure for their pack forced an indiscretion, before Ilkley hit back with a try.

Robust running play from Iain MacKenzie allowed scrum half Kirk Arundale to cross the line. Bills was unable to add the conversion.

The impressive Mattison sailed another penalty over the Ilkley bar not long afterwards to give his side a 9-8 lead.

With this, the game was becoming an exciting spectacle, and a Castleford try of real quality followed as the half drew to a close.

Fly-half Martin Dye produced a breathtaking run through the heart of the Ilkley defence, which gave Craig Fawcett the opportunity to score.

Mattison converted but before the break Bills reduced the deficit to 16-11 with a penalty.

Ilkley have been involved in some tough second-half battles this season and this one didn’t disappoint.

The visitors applied the early pressure, and only desperate Cas defence prevented Ben Fear’s first try of the season as he was held up.

The Dalesmen enjoyed phase after phase of possession but once again they struggled to create clear-cut chances.

It wasn’t until the 60-minute mark that the pieces fell into place. Quickly- taken penalties and smart running moves from across the back line pushed Castleford into a state of panic, and Ilkley soon found themselves with a sense of superiority with the ball in hand.

The maul has been a key source of Ilkley success this term, and it was through this that they scored two more tries.

The first was touched down by hard-working hooker Leon Treco and MacKenzie, who has enjoyed a fine start to his season, was credited with the second,which was converted by Bills.

The Dalesmen had worked themselves into a lead of 23-16.

One further Mattison penalty led to a frenetic finish to an absorbing game, but Ilkley held firm.

They will hope to continue this form when they return home to face Bridlington on Saturday. It will surely be another closely-fought and tight encounter.