Ilkley 32 Huddersfield YMCA 27

THIS was a nine-try festival which must have been a pleasure for the few neutrals in the ground to savour as Ilkley started and finished well against their relegation-threatened rivals.

The Dalesmen also provided the large crowd with plenty of anxious moments, as the quality of their play was patchy to say the least.

All went swimmingly in the first ten minutes as Ilkley cruised into a ten-point lead, courtesy of a Joe Rowntree penalty and a converted try.

This came from JH Johnson’s 60-metre dash which was ably supported by the Ilkley back row, setting up a stroll-in for Ed Brown, Rowntree adding the extras.

Ilkley then coughed up a couple of penalties in quick succession. Simon Wilson’s first kick at goal failed, but his second to touch fared better. From the line-out, he threw out a perfectly judged flat pass to centre Gavin Stead, who touched down under the posts and Ilkley’s lead was cut to three points.

Winger Declan Jackson was not able to hold on to a difficult chance when Pat Power stole possession in Ilkley’s 22 and set up a break-out, but he soon made amends following yet another steal by James Spencer.

A scintillating dash from his own half saw him score to make it 15-7. Rowntree’s conversion missed by a whisker.

The visitors’ percentage of possession increased, but they were unable to turn this into points. Ilkley looked shaky in attack at times, but their stout defence mopped up the visitors’ assaults, notably from centre Adam Ryder, who had a fine game.

The next score went to Ilkley when Johnson took a quick line-out and passed to Ben Magee. The full back linked with Jackson and the backs set up a chance for the forwards to do their best and Pat Power finished a good move. Rowntree’s kick put the home side ahead 22-7 and surely, this was a sign of what was to follow.

Well, no. Ilkley fluffed their lines in defence and run out of tacklers allowing winger Stewart Morton to dance over from short range. Wilson’s kick was pulled wide but he was on target early in the second half with a penalty.

There was a further setback for the home side when possession was give away and Ryder scored a good try.

Ahead now by only two points, Ilkley were unable to sustain any momentum and enjoyed precious little possession. These defects were exploited by an anxious YMCA and the next score justifiably went to the visitors, when flanker Sam Hodge finished a good move. This time Wilson converted as his side took a 27-22 lead.

Still the onslaught came with the home side starved of possession, but after yet another penalty attempt by Wilson hit a post, the tide turned.

The Ilkley pack were held up over the line after a drive from a 15-metre line-out. From the resulting scrum, Rowntree went down the blindside and forced his way over to level the scores.

Ilkley started playing to their potential as they battered away at an increasingly desperate YMCA defence. Their renewed resolve paid dividends when a defensive scrum was taken against the head and the evergreen Ollie Renton scored the decisive try.

YM came back strongly in the dying moments, but were unable to improve upon their two points gained. Ilkley on the other hand took the five on offer.

While YMCA have to take five points from their final game to have a chance of avoiding relegation, Ilkley go to leaders Sheffield Tigers hoping to round off a fine first season in National League Three North in style.