Last-minute tries Stoke Ilkley's cup run (From Ilkley Gazette)

Last-minute tries Stoke Ilkley's cup run

11:52am Thursday 3rd May 2012 in Sport

Ilkley have twice needed last-minute tries to snatch dramatic victories during their run to the final of the RFU National Intermediate Cup.

They were staring elimination from the competition in their very first match at Stockton when winger Mark Kirby popped up with a last-gasp try after good work from fly half Phil Howell.

They had to avoid defeat in that game becaue Stockton had already defeated the third team in their qualifying group, Ashington, 31-0.

The Dalesmen only had to avoid defeat against Ashington to make the Northern final and they achieved that with ease, thrashing their rivals 90-0 and running in 14 tries in the process.

A comfortable 31-6 win over Kirkby Lonsdale in the quarter-finals set up a semi-final home tie against holders Stoke.

More than 1,000 people packed into the ground to see a memorable match. Ilkley were trailing 20-19 six minutes into injury time when Iain Mckenzie went over the line to clinch a place at Twickenham with a 24-20 win.