Huddersfield 59 Ilkley 7

THE National Three North leaders once again proved worthy of their top slot with another clinical display at their sumptuous Lockwood headquarters, running in nine tries against a game and gutsy Ilkley side that never shirked a tackle.

Eight different Huddersfield players touched down, but it was their pack that won them the game, along with a magnificent kicking display by stand-off Chris Bell.

The Number 10 might well have converted every try, had it not been for an inconveniently placed post and the sterling efforts of the Dalesmen’s full back Ben Magee, who charged down one attempt.

Magee had a fine game, apart from saving those two points. He was the pick of the Ilkley backs and scored his side’s only try, fielding a loose clearance kick deep in his own half.

Making ground in his usual fashion, a clever kick and collect left the home side’s defence in tatters for a well-earned try, Joe Rowntree contributing with the conversion.

It was eight minutes into the game when Huddersfield powered over from a catch and drive, followed eight minutes later, when forward power told once more.

Ilkley countered well and with limited possession, looked good with ball in hand. A line-out in the opposition 22 was won, but somehow possession was lost and a penalty conceded.

Bell’s merciless boot took his side back into Ilkley’s 22 and despite some heroic tackling, right wing Danny Grainger crashed over in the corner. Another fine kick and it was 21-0.

Ilkley were playing enterprising rugby when they could and for a while, their pack was making life a little more uncomfortable for their counterparts.

JH Johnson enjoyed a couple of his trademark bullocking runs out in the backs, but a crossing decision went against Ilkley and Huddersfield cleared.

An innocuous looking tackle was deemed high and Huddersfield capitalised with another catch and drive by prop Callum Thompson. It was then that Magee saved his side two points with his charge down.

Ilkley started the second half brightly and after a round of handbags, sternly dealt with by referee Chris Binnie, some smart back-play brought Ilkley to the opposition five-metre line. The scrum won, Ilkley were harshly penalised for holding on and the home side broke out to halfway.

The Ilkley pack was soundly beaten at the scrum and conceded a penalty that took Huddersfield to Ilkley’s 22. A great catch and 20m drive signalled the start to the second-half scoring.

Going into the last quarter of the game, Ilkley were still tackling their hearts out and Huddersfield were not having it totally their own way.

Still Ilkley were making the most from their meagre possession, but the Huddersfield line seemed impregnable.

Two more tries, both converted by Bell took the score to 54-0, before Ilkley opened their account.

When Charlie Ramsey kicked dead, Bell dropped out straight into the arms of Magee, whose solo effort was scant reward for both himself and his team for the work put in.

There was just time for a final try and conversion from the champions apparent and that was it.

The next visitors to Stacks Field are Sandal, whose comfortable win in Wakefield was assisted by Ilkley playing with 14 men for most of the match. This time it just has to be different.