Sheffield Tigers 27 pts, Ilkley 28 pts

Ilkley have produced some outstanding results in recent times and this one counts among the best.

The Tigers were celebrating their National Three North title triumph and had an unbeaten home record until the Dalesmen came along to spoil the party and avenge the 65-0 drubbing they took at Stacks Field on the first day of the season.

The match was a thriller. Both sides giving 110 per cent in a battle of skills, guts, tenacity, muscle and teamwork.

Tigers started strongly and went ahead with a try in the corner from full back Pete Swatkins. 5-0.

The lead was increased five minutes later when scrum half Ryan Holmes touched down under the posts. Former Otley stand off Mark Ireland added the extras.

Another 15 minutes of fierce end to end rugby peppered with penalties from both sides saw the Dalesmen claw their way back. With Ben Magee, Ed Brown's and skipper Josh Kimber finding holes in Tigers' defence.

Ilkley's enterprise was rewarded when a great line-out take by big James Spencer saw winger Declan Jackson produce an electric turn of speed before putting Magee in under the posts for a score which Joe Rowntree converted.

The scrum half also landed a penalty when Tigers' lock Langon was sent to the sin bin.

Ilkley were just 12-10 down at the break but the home side extended their advantage at the start of the second half when JH Johnson received a yellow card after apparently catching a loose pass. Ireland's kick made it 15-10.

Magee saved his side with a fine tackle on the rampaging lock Frank Wragg before Rowntree emerged from a period of intensive defending to break to halfway where he put Jackson clear for a superb try. Rowntree converted to nudge Ilkley ahead and added a penalty soon after to make it 20-15.

Tigers were wounded but not down. No 8 Al Symcox battered his way over to level the scores after a bullocking run from prop Ed Simmons. Ireland's conversion edged Tigers ahead.

slotted a great kick to edge Tigers into the lead 22-20.

The superb back row of Will Davies, Charlie Davy and Pat Power, immense throughout, now increased the tempo. Again Elliot Morgan and Jackson combined to win a penalty on the 22 which. Rowntree landed.

The tension was palpable. Ilkley's front row of Josh Cockerham, Nico Nyemba and Dan Lawrence were pushing their bigger opponents back and after Wragg had been yellow carded, Rowntree saw an extra man out wide. The ball was moved quickly out to Magee who squeezed over in the corner to score.

With ten minutes to go. Tigers needed a converted try to win. Rowntree missed a 40 yard penalty and that was a signal for the home side's last assault.

After desperate defence, Tigers crashed over to score through Symcox. Ireland has saved Tigers' home record with the last kick several times but this one was hooked.

Ilkley defended another dangerous raid and were out on their feet when the referee blew his whistle to signal the end of a memorable match. What an end to a wonderful first season at National League level.