Lymm 26 Ilkley 25

THE conditions for this match could not have contrasted more with those back in November when Ilkley lost narrowly at home to Saturday’s hosts. Then it was dark and dank, now it was more like mid-summer and the Dalesmen had an exciting looking backline to suit.

In the event, after a pulsating start and a highly-satisfying first half, Ilkley ran out of steam and succumbed to centre Richard McEvoy’s last-gasp try.

Whilst the outside temperature belied the fact that it was still March, the pitch did not, retaining several wet areas after the week’s downpours.

These conditions seemed to hamper the Ilkley strikeforce and the backs found progress difficult.

Ilkley’s whirlwind start saw JH Johnson score the first try after a text-book build-up of eight phases. Joe Rowntree, restored as Ilkley’s scrum half, slotted the conversion.

Flanker Pat Power stole an opposition line-out and set up another attack which Lymm halted illegally. Up stepped Rowntree and it was 10-0, but his next attempt drifted wide.

Lymm at last joined the party when centre Lucas Titherington was hauled down five metres from the line after a good break. The pressure continued and Ilkley gave away a penalty under the posts which Will Titherington converted.

Ilkley responded with their second try. Declan Jackson came off his wing into the centre to take a neat pass before skipping over for a classy try under the posts after a smart move. Rowntree’s boot made it 17-3

Back came Lymm and an identical offence to the last one led to a yellow for Ollie Holtam. Sensing that the Ilkley pack might have been disrupted, Lymm opted for the scrum, but the Ilkley eight held firm and cleared the danger, but not for long.

Another penalty was conceded and this time, Titherington took the shot at goal to reduce the lead to 17-6.

Ilkley’s response was swift. They stole a line-out before Lymm were penalised for not releasing in the tackle. Rowntree’s superb kick gave the visitors a deserved 20-6 half-time lead.

The second half was an entirely different matter though. Ilkley started it well enough, with the lion’s share of possession in the first ten minutes and Elliot Morgan was just beaten to the touchdown when he followed up his own hack through.

The Dalesmen’s first unforced error came when a desperate clearance kick was dropped giving Lymm a scrum.

The pressure eventually told when Lymm mauled their way over to allow skipper Adam Bray to score. Titherington’s kick made it 20-13.

Scenting blood, back came Lymm, but not for the first time, the ball was spilled and suddenly appeared in the grateful arms of Jackson, who broke through a couple of despairing tackles before running 75 metres to score in the corner.

Ilkley’s delight with this piece of good fortune was tempered somewhat when the conversion was missed, but at least a decent lead had been restored.

Unfortunately Ilkley became edgy. Two penalties in their own 22 led to another mauled try for Lymm’s Jake Ashall to narrow the score to 25-18 and then having won a line-out, Ilkley’s ball was held up and a scrum was awarded to Lymm.

A long advantage was then played after an Ilkley high tackle, but eventually, referee Sam Philips brought play back and Titherington kicked the goal.

From Ilkley’s point of view, the game needed to be closed out. The pack played three or four close-set phases and looked comfortable enough, but when the ball was released to the backs, winger Dion Hendricks was unable to release in the tackle and was penalised. Lymm cleared the danger and there was time for just one more attack from the line-out.

Unfortunately for the Dalesmen, McEvoy’s bulk carried him over and despite Titherington’s miss, Ilkley’s four points were reduced to one and their disappointment was clear to see.