National League Three North: Ilkley 16 Billingham 29

HEAVY rain, which fell from midday, and a typically robust and skilful performance by Billingham, who are coached by former England and Northampton Saint Chris Hyndman, dampened Ilkley's spirits.

The early pressure was with the Dalesmen, however, as their forwards took the game to the heart of Billingham's defence.

Ben Magee's presence at a high kick produced a penalty, the line-out was won and driven and another penalty gave skipper Joe Rowntree Ilkley's first league points of the season.

Billingham, in their more familiar green and white hoops, which replaced the garish orange kit of last season, hit back immediately.

England Sevens prospect Adam Radwan beat three visitors from deep in his half on the left wing and, although he was stopped five metres from the line, centre Luke Wilson scored several phases later.

However, Ilkley responded with another Rowntree penalty in the tenth minute to lead 6-5, Nick Carolan then being stopped millimetres short of the line underneath the Billingham posts.

But they did profit following a scrum penalty on the home 22, referee Ben Rayner giving Ilkley a penalty after a close-in line-out, Rowntree being stopped by a player who failed to retreat, leading to a penalty try, which was converted for 13-5.

Billingham were stung into action, Wilson scoring a try for the experienced Peter Evans to convert.

This proved to be the game-changer as Ilkley lost shape and momentum and, to make matters worse, injured winger JH Johnson, Kirk Arundale replacing him.

Ilkley managed to hold on until the interval, when the players retreated to the dressing room for some hot tea, but the visitors' line was breached ten minutes into the second period when, after two apparent Billingham knock-ons went unpunished, Evans gave Billingham the lead at 15-13 with a long-range penalty.

Jon Hutchinson and Gus Ramsey replaced Ollie Holtam and Pat Power for Ilkley, who were pegged back by long touch-finders.

The killer blow came from one of these as both Arundale and Magee went to ground to defend it but the wet ball eluded both, and the unfortunate Magee was forced to stop the winger without the ball, incurring both a penalty try and a yellow card.

Trailing 22-13, Rowntree got three points back with a penalty, but, with seven minutes to go and with only 14 men defending increasingly powerful Billingham attacks, a score of some kind was pretty much inevitable, and it came courtesy of a converted Radwan try.

For Ilkley coach Rhys Morgan, there is plenty of head scratching to do ahead of the derby visit to Morley on Saturday.

At least the line-outs worked well, the scrum held firm and the tight play was fine, but some go-forward must be found if the backs are to fire properly and Ben Magee and the wingers are to find the space that they need.

The second XV went down 45-5 at Doncaster Phoenix.