Doncaster Phoenix 22 Ilkley 29

AFTER a pretty torrid month, this was a victory to savour for the Dalesmen as they avenged their narrow Yorkshire Cup defeat at Castle Park in August.

With just two points from their previous four matches against teams occupying the top four positions in National League Three North, this was a welcome boost.

The venue gives off a slightly surreal atmosphere, being the home of a professional outfit, but the wide-open spaces are well-suited to Ilkley’s expansive game.

The result was a satisfying bonus-point win, outscoring their opponents by four tries to three. The result was in some doubt right to the final whistle and Ilkley will have to sharpen up some aspects of their play before they entertain Lymm at Stacks Field on Saturday.

Early probing from both sides led to line-outs in each half, both defended well, but Ilkley had the first sniff of points when a Ben Magee penalty from halfway found touch on the 22.

The first of several poor Ilkley line-outs gave the defence the opportunity to clear, but it wasn’t long before another Magee kick took his side to within seven metres of the Phoenix line.

This time, the throw to the back was well held by Nathan Smith and from the ensuing maul, Dan Lawrence broke free to score. Joe Rowntree added the goal.

Another lost line-out on halfway handed the initiative to Phoenix, who battered away at a resolute defence until an offside decision went the hosts’ way. Jamie Lennerd took his chance well to narrow Ilkley’s lead to four points.

Back on the attack and looking more threatening by the minute, Ilkley unfortunately lost two more line-outs and then conceded a try when Phoenix took advantage of a line-out five metres out to execute a textbook catch and drive with hooker Alex Keaton claiming the spoils.

Both sides were playing some attractive rugby, with Ilkley looking the better side and it came as no surprise when the Dalesmen scored again.

An attacking scrum on the right was won and the ball flashed through the backs. Right-winger Dion Hendricks entered the line at pace to feed Ricky Palacio who scored his third try in two games.

Ilkley survived an injury-time scare as Phoenix came back strongly, but a knock-on put an end to the first half.

A penalty to Phoenix, given after an Ilkley scrum was disrupted, came to naught, but a subsequent one had an entirely different outcome.

Ilkley had strayed offside at a maul and Phoenix kicked for touch. Their attack broke down with a knock-on and suddenly the ball was in Ben Magee’s hands in his own 22. The full-back took full advantage and ran the length of the field to go in under the posts. Rowntree’s conversion made it 19-8.

Another Rowntree penalty increased the lead to 14 points as the game entered its last quarter, but Phoenix were not done yet.

Following a couple more ropey line-outs and the concession of two more penalties by Ilkley, hooker Keaton repeated his earlier feat with a carbon-copy try. Lennard’s kick went over via the post and it was 22-15.

Moments later, Smith fell awkwardly in a line-out and referee Les Ranns felt compelled to issue a card to Phoenix lock Dan Robinson, much to the crowd’s fury.

Undeterred, Phoenix went on the attack and when scrum-half Tim Elliot’s grubber kick pierced the Ilkley defensive line, a try looked on.

Then came the Magee show, as Aaron coolly collected the kick, beat the onrushing attack and fed brother Ben in the Ilkley 22. Still with a lot to do, the full back simply did the lot and with a touch down under the posts, Ilkley went ahead 29-15. And a bonus point in the bag.

From the kick-off, Ilkley were penalised for crossing and Phoenix again went for touch. Smith nicked this one and Ilkley cleared, but from the next, Phoenix caught cleanly and passed out to the backs, replacement centre Ben Millar scoring under the posts. Lennard drop-kicked the conversion to save time and Phoenix then desperately went for a final score to salvage a draw.

But the Ilkley defence was heroic, as wave after wave of assaults were parried and when after what seemed to be a very long time indeed, Phoenix were penalised for holding on in the tackle.

Ben Magee joyfully kicked the ball dead, ending a pulsating encounter with the score at 22-29.