Dinnington 25 Ilkley 21

AFTER a week’s lay-off, Ilkley travelled to South Yorkshire with a side approaching full-strength. Ollie Renton and Nick Carolan returned to the back row after their respective injuries and James Crossley got the nod over Steve Nolson at centre.

Ominously though, Dinnington were in the mood for vengeance, having lost both matches to the Dalesmen in their joint promotion season. Overall, they played the more controlled, consistent rugby and despite two scintillating tries by Ilkley’s flying-machine, Ben Magee, the visitors came away with just a losing bonus-point.

Ilkley started well after Dinnington made a hash of the kick-off. This led to three consecutive scrums and a penalty to the visitors which Josh Kimber banged into touch. An early score was denied as the ball was knocked on in the backs. Dinnington responded immediately via their pack and only stout tackling by Crossley kept the hosts out.

After ten minutes the pressure told and Ilkley strayed offside allowing Jonny West a simple kick at goal. This was swiftly followed by another infringement after the home pack turned over an Ilkley scrum and suddenly the visitors were six points down.

Playing up the considerable slope, Ilkley broke out of their own 22 courtesy of 60-metre run by Magee and with Carolan on his shoulder, a try looked likely. However a knock-on ended this phase of the attack.

Ilkley kept the pressure on and when the home side were penalised for holding on, Kimber kicked for the line-out. Two swift rucks later, Tom Collard fed Kimber and his well-weighted pass found Crossley who touched down close to the posts for a well-worked try. Kimber’s kick gave Ilkley the lead.

Ilkley 's joy was short lived. Pete Small was penalised for interference at a line-out despite having his hands on the ball. West’s kick for touch into Ilkley’s 22 was followed swiftly by the stand-off dancing in under the posts and then converting his own try to put Dinnington back into the lead at 13-7

A great run out of defence by Magee, who beat four men in his 70 metre run to touch down was thwarted by the home touch-judge’s flag. Then a Collard kick was charged down, but a knock-on by Dinnington left the score unchanged at half time.

Ilkley suffered another setback early in the second half. They lost their own attacking line-out and saw Jalan Farris scoop up the loose ball and set up the move that eventually saw Will Marshall crash over on the left wing for a try.

Yet another great break out of defence by Magee almost led to a try and then Collard’s fretful afternoon continued when he was penalised for holding on. Fortunately for the visitors, no more points were conceded and the score remained at 18-7

Ilkley’s kicking out of hand was generally poor and when a Kimber kick was fielded and returned with interest, Dinnington found themselves again within ten metres of the Ilkley line.

Then a beacon of light in the Stygian gloom, as the line-out was won and Kimber and Crossley broke out of defence from under their own posts to set up Magee. He was finally rewarded for this skills and effort with a superb try under the posts, which Kimber converted.

Dinnington’s counter attack again found them just metres short of another success, but with a feeling of déjà vu, Ilkley’s backs broke out again and there was Magee hitting the line at pace to score under the posts. With 14 points in five minutes under their belts, Ilkley now led 21-18 and appeared to have taken control.

However, this illusion was swiftly shattered when the hosts came straight back at Ilkley with a series of rucks and mauls that which led to Marshall going over for a try which West converted to seal his side's win.

Then it was Ilkley’s turn to try and save something from the match with ten minutes to go. First Kimber saw his penalty kick hit a post and Magee narrowly failed to take advantage.

Dinnington were penalised in the middle of the park and Kimber kicked to the opposition’s ten-metre line. The line-out was won, but Carolan was adjudged to have been tackled into touch and referee David Downham blew for time.

One could argue that Ilkley might have won this game but for a couple of debatable decisions concerning the line-out, both of which appeared to baffle both players and supporters. There were eyebrows raised after the last play of the match, when the ball was clearly still in play but all in all, this was a fair result and Ilkley remain fourth in the table.