Ilkley 36 Dinnington 11

Ilkley are proving to be a team for all seasons. Two weeks ago they defeated Bridlington in a bitter Baltic wind and on Saturday they flourished in the Spring sunshine to demolish Dinnington.

All the tries came from the backs, with two apiece to J-H Johnson and Paul Petchey and one each for Ryan Cooper and Steve Nolson.

With regular kicker Mike Cacchia unavailable, just half the tries were converted by three different kickers – Tom Collard, Craig Barker and Johnson.

Ilkley started in lively fashion, fielding Dinnington’s kick-off and creating an early chance, only to be penalised for holding on.

Dinnington counter-attacked from the line and Ilkley were again penalised for offside in their own 22, giving Johnny West a simple kick that put his side 3-0 up.

From the restart, Dinnington offended and Tom Collard kicked for the corner.

Two driving mauls failed to yield any points, but when Dinnington kicked for touch, the ball was fielded neatly by Johnson, who made a lot of ground before feeding Petchey.

Full back Ryan Cooper made the touchdown after Petchey’s pass had diverted off a Dinnington hand.

West’s second penalty followed almost immediately, putting the visitors into the lead for the final time at 6-5.

Ilkley’s response was stunning. First Cooper and then skipper Stuart Vincent combined to take their forwards within five metres of the line.

When possession was recycled Barker started a sparkling move involving Ollie Renton and Collard, before Vincent made a half-break to feed Petchey for his first try, Collard bisected the uprights with his kick to put Ilkley 12-6 up.

The half finished with Petchey going close after chipping ahead and then Collard slicing a penalty wide.

Ilkley started the second half badly and having been robbed of the ball, Dinnington’s stand-out centre Tyle Stimpson went over in the corner for an unconverted try. But that was it for the visitors. Ilkley’s backs, already looking much the sharper, went up a gear and it came as no surprise when Steve Nolson won the race to touch down after a deft chip by Barker, who slotted the conversion to take the hosts into a 19-11 lead.

Then a good break by Johnny Yale and a lovely pass to J-H Johnson led to the winger going over for his first try.

Ilkley were in full flow and they scored again when Cooper floated a pass out for Petchey’s second score. This try was converted by Johnson.

The introduction of Nathan Bland and Jon Hutchinson strengthened the Ilkley pack and negated much of Dinnington’s extra weight in the tight.

Dinnington were unlucky not to score on two occasions. Ilkley were spared by last-ditch tackles from sub Sam Boot and the outstanding Paul Petchey. The winger started off the last scoring move of the day when he broke from their own half.

Vincent was put into space with a well-timed pass and then he produced one of his own to send Johnson over for his second try. Collard’s kick was again off-target.

This was a heartening Ilkley performance against lowly, but dogged opponents.

The backs had a field day, but only because their forwards gave them the ball so frequently and with both Wath and York losing, Ilkley will not finish lower than fourth.

Saturday sees them visit bogey team North Ribblesdale, a side Ilkley have not beaten in their last three meetings.

With a performance such as this, Ilkley should be able to cement third place in this toughest of leagues.