Ilkley 24 Percy Park 15

This was a game in which Ilkley looked to be up against it even before kick-off, as the visitors’ pack during their pre-match routines looked immense in comparison with their hosts’, whose absentees were well documented in the programme-notes. However, OllieRenton made a welcome and dominant return to the back row, as did new signing James Spencer at lock.

The disparity in weight was however nullified by one of the best second-half performances ever seen at Stacks Field, as the Dalesmen turned a half-time deficit of 15-10 to a stunning victory, 24-15, preventing not only any score against in

the second half, but also denying Percy Park a losing bonus point, when Josh Kimber’s superb last-minute conversion put the home side out of sight.

Ilkley’s close-quarter defence was much better than the previous week’s and as the now familiar bulldozing forward forward-play materialised, Ilkley’s defence just soaked it up for the first ten minutes of the game.

Then the home side got some possession and after the ball had been recycled three times, the ball sped along the backs for Ben Magee, whose intelligent incursion from left to right wing allowed him to feed team-mate Paul Petchey to touch down for the first score, Kimber adding the extras for a 7-0 lead.

Percy Park then countered with some strong runs and by exerting great pressure in the set pieces. This resulted in the concession of a penalty for a front-row infringement, which was stroked over by Park’s Ashley Smith to reduce the arrears by three. This was followed shortly afterwards when Nick Carolan broke from a defensive scrum and found himself isolated. Park’s forwards took full advantage and with scrum-half Scott switching the pass, right wing Alex Tilley strolled over, Smith’s conversion giving the visitors a 10-7 lead.

Kimber and Smith both missed penalties before the Ilkley stand-off slotted an easy

kick after Tom Collard was high-tackled.

Then Ilkley got over the line, only for referee John Wolstenholme to spot a knock-on. Park cleared their lines and countered well, breaking out from their own 22. A couple of blatant obstructions and a possible forward pass were waved on and the support was on hand when Tilley once more was involved in a try, feeding centre Ali Blair to go in under the posts.

Incredibly, Smith missed the conversion and the score remained at 15-10 to the

visitors at half-time.

There was no score for the first 20 minutes of the second half, with both sides

probing for weaknesses in their opponents’ defence. Ilkley lost of couple of their own

line-outs in promising positions, but defended well and were able to starve Park of the ball for much of the remainder of the game as their confidence grew.

Ryan Cooper came on for Collard and Ilkley stepped up a gear, Kimber making a telling break that resulted in Park being penalised again for a high tackle.

The stand-off’s kick took Ilkley to within 15 metres of the Park goal-line, but the line-out win was nullified.

Then he pulled another penalty just wide, which was disappointing, but at this stage,

with the front row gaining ascendency, Ilkley were far the better side and looked more likely to score.

Ilkley were finally awarded a penalty for obstruction when Cooper was impeded and then another, when Park scrum-half Scott was given a yellow for killing the ball as the Ilkley pack rumbled to within five metres.

Unfortunately, Ilkley No.8 Nick Carolan was badly injured in the drive and had to leave the field in obvious agony.

After the lengthy break, Kimber stroked the ball into touch and from the line, an

Ilkley catch and drive, so reminiscent of their many successes last season, set up a try for Stevie Graham which levelled the scores. Kimber’s conversion gave the Dalesmen a 17-15 lead and the question then was could they hold on?

The answer was a resounding yes, as with their tails up high, Ilkley brought play back into the Park with a long kick from Kimber when Park were caught holding on too long after the tackle.

The line-out was won, the ruck was formed in the middle on Park’s 22 and then Cooper fed Kimber. The ball was flashed on to skipper Alistair Monks arriving

at speed and the full-back turned and twisted his way over for a well-taken try.

Kimber’s beautiful conversion ended the match 24-15 in Ilkley’s favour.

This was a very satisfying victory, which illustrated how well this Ilkley side has

adapted to the different style of play in this league.

The packs are certainly much bigger than in Yorkshire One and there appears to be a lot more leniency towards attacking players blocking defenders. Feeding the scrums seems to be part and parcel of Rugby Union in general now, though line-outs are much more strictly refereed.

Ilkley’s selectors now have even more problems, with Carolan out for at least six weeks and Gus Ramsay also having had to leave the field early with a hamstring injury.

Sheffield will no doubt prove to be another tough test as the Dalesmen hit the road

again, but after this performance, there is no need for trepidation.