Ilkley 29 Billingham 34

PRIOR to this match, Ilkley were in exactly the same position they were in last season, having won two of their first four games. A win would have put some distance between themselves and the following pack, but alas, this was not to be.

A losing bonus point was scant reward for an afternoon of endeavour, but their Teesside visitors were just that bit quicker in thought and deed, out-scoring the Dalesmen by five tries to two.

Nineteen of Ilkley’s points came from the thunderous boot of Joe Rowntree and all five penalties came from Billingham’s forwards being pressurised by their Ilkley counterparts, who generally had the upper hand. In addition, an immaculate line-out display helped the cause immensely.

Rhys Morgan’s words regarding a sharper start by the home side seemed to have done the trick, as Ilkley soaked up the early pressure and eventually earned a penalty that skipper Josh Kimber rifled into touch.

Good line-out ball was seized on by Kimber as he made a lovely break before off loading for the supporting Nick Carolan to go over for a try which Rowntree converted.

Both sides were determined to run the ball and some loose play by Ilkley saw scrum-half Dan Finney score under the posts with skipper Peter Evans converting.

Two Rowntree penalties after ruck offences by the visitors gave Ilkley a 13-7 lead but it didn't last long. A high tackle from JH Johnson was penalised

and that enabled the visitors to create the attacking platform which led to a try for winger Martin Hopley.

There was a double blow for Ilkley in the final seconds of the half. Johnson was adjudged to have tackled debutant winger Alex Duke illegally as he dived for the line. The result was a penalty try and a yellow card for the Ilkley player.

Though down to 14 men, Ilkley maintained their attack and a neat grubber kick by Ryan Cooper seemed to have gained a good 30 metres. However, Billingham took a quick line and the lightning fast Duke lanced through the defence to set up a ruck. When Ilkley were penalised at the breakdown, Evans landed the penalty.

Ilkley then knocked on at the kick-off and a text-book try from Duke, with the Ilkley defence stretched, earned his side a bonus point.

With Johnson back on, Ilkley’s pack rumbled forward and a good break by Tom Baxter set up a ruck from and Steve Nolson crashed over for a try which Rowntree converted to reduce the deficit to 27-23.

Ilkley narrowed the gap to a single point when Billingham collapsed a scrum and Rowntree kicked a magnificent penalty.

Into the last quarter of the game and the result could have gone either way. Ilkley’s forwards were in the ascendency, but twice the backs kicked away possession. Ilkley escaped from the first error when Billingham knocked on, but not the second, as Duke bagged another try, dancing through some lacklustre tackling. Evans’ conversion meant that Ilkley needed one score to get a losing bonus point and two to snatch a win.

The final ten minutes saw Ilkley click and several good passages of play were rewarded by winning two kickable penalties. The first was tapped and more yards were gained, but the second was coolly slotted by Rowntree to earn the bonus point.

Deep into injury time, referee Adam Carter finally blew for time as Ilkley knocked on after taking a tap penalty and that was that.