Sweet success for Ilkley as Rowntree runs in two tries

ILKLEY completed their first double of the season to pull away from the National Three North relegation zone.

The seemingly incessant rain did hold off for most of this match which saw Ilkley play on an artificial pitch for the first time.

The backs enjoyed the firm, regular surface and looked much more incisive than in the past couple of matches.

With skipper Josh Kimber missing with a hand injury, his deputy, Ed Brown had a big task on his hands at stand off, but he handled it very well indeed, with his accurate passing and a good eye for the break.

The forwards coped well with the unusual feeling underfoot and shaded their opponents in every department apart from the line-out, which once again was sub-standard. The new-look front row was in charge at the scrums and the entire pack contributed immensely.

Both sides started in lively fashion and Ilkley in particular displayed some early unease with the way the ball bounced, but on the tenth minute, a second break by Brown after good work by JH Johnson and Steve Nolson led to a ruck two metres from the Burnage goalline. Hooker Nico Nyemba emerged from a pile of bodies with a smile on his face after scoring his first Ilkley try. Joe Rowntree added the conversion.

Within ten minutes, the lead had doubled, but not before Ilkley contrived to lose three line-outs. The last of these was earned from a mighty 70 metre penalty kick, after Ben Magee was high-tackled in his own 22.

Burnage stole the ball at the line-out, but it was spirited away and the Ilkley pack set up Pat Power for the second try. Rowntree's conversion extended the lead to 14-0.

From the kick-off, an Ilkley hand flapped the ball into touch. Concentration was lost and two penalties were conceded, the second of which was calmly slotted by the Burnage stand off Rhys Evans to open his side's account.

Burnage were reduced to 14 men when centre Stuart Oldham saw yellow for another high-tackle – not his first. However his side redoubled their efforts, but the possession earned was kicked away.

One such kick was safely fielded by Magee who switched with Johnson in the centre of the field. The winger made good ground before offloading to the supporting Rowntree, who outpaced the despairing Burnage defence over 40 metres to score in the corner.

The conversion attempt missed by a whisker, but the scrum-half made amends two minutes later when he kicked a penalty after Burnage had infringed in their own 22.

Ilkley lost another line, but the Burnage attack obligingly kicked their possession away again to Magee, who gave a beautifully-weighted pass to wingman Declan Jackson, who

made his first start for the club on the day.

With an astonishing turn of speed, a good 40 metres were made before a clever pass to the supporting Nolson enabled the centre to score the bonus point try that Ilkley so needed as they turned round with a 27-3 lead.

The Dalesmen enjoyed a dream start to the second half, when Rowntree bagged his second try, in similar style to his first, after spotting another yawning gap in the Burnage defence.

Ilkley were now in rampant form and despite losing another line-out, they continued to batter away at the Burnage line.

Magee was held up over the line and moments later, offloaded to Elliot Morgan, who was penalised for holding on. John Pickersgill made a welcome return to replace Nathan Smith, but then Nick Carolan saw yellow for injudicious use of the boot. Ilkley’s pack faltered and after some good Burnage scrummaging, a crash ball to centre Oldham earned his side’s only try of the match, Evans converting.

Rowntree struck back immediately with a penalty after yet another high tackle and he was then replaced by Kirk Arundale, making a welcome return.

This was to be the final score of the game and despite Ilkley’s supremacy and with the Burnage No. 8 JordanChapell in the sin-bin, the remaining 15 minutes were scrappy.

Johnson was held up over the line with five minutes remaining, but that was it and a job well done.

This was a competent display and will give this Ilkley side a lot of confidence after losing their five previous league games.