Ilkley 45 Blackburn 14

THE Dalesmen followed their successful trip to the East Coast last week with a comfortable win over Lancashire visitors, Blackburn, who ply their trade in North West One, a division below Ilkley.

A game of two halves was on offer from the start, as Ilkley fielded two completely different sides, one for each half, whereas Blackburn favoured the more traditional rolling replacements.

Some difficulties relating to the referee's arrival delayed kick-off by 20 minutes, but when the game finally got going, the hosts looked supremely comfortable.

The first half's Ilkley XV included the National Sevens winning backs, so their superior sharpness was not surprising.

Ilkley racked up five tries in the first 40 minutes, scored by Dan Lawrence, Josh Hall, Martyn Mitchell, Elliot Morgan and Ben Magee, Charlie Morgan kicking three conversions.

Each try was worthy of note, demonstrating teamwork, forward-power, support work and not least, individual brilliance.

Lawrence's try must have pleased head coach Nathan Smith, coming from a well-taken line by Will Davies and then a rolling maul.

Hall's try finished off relentless pressure from the Ilkley pack, punching holes in the Blackburn defence before releasing the backs. Mitchell's strength brought him his five points, powering through some rather half-hearted tackling.

Luke Freer's break was well-supported by skipper Morgan, who was on hand to take the scoring pass and when Ben Magee fielded a speculative kick ahead in his own 22, the crowd was hoping for some magic.

Magee duly delivered with a trademark sevens try which was a pleasure to behold, as was the nil on the scoreboard following the 31.

All the home team put in a good shift and it was good to see Steve Burns back in an Ilkley shirt and Pat Power put on a storming display.

The second half didn't provide quite the spectacle of the first, but that wasn't the intention and there were two more well-worked tries from Rohan Beckett and Jimmy Crowther, both converted by Charlie Morgan, before Blackburn were rewarded for their doggedness with two converted tries of their own.

These came about as Ilkley were down to 14 men, Josh Cockerham incurring the referee's displeasure, but to be fair, Blackburn had worked hard through a patchy period and Josh Riley and Aidan Turner deserved reward.

Skipper Phil Baines kicked both goals which effectively tied the second half 14 each.

Ilkley won't be resting on their laurels with the prospect of Kendal's visit in two weeks fixed in the mind, but if the pack can continue to deliver a decent supply of ball to these backs, the Dalesmen should fear no one in their forthcoming campaign in the North Premier League.