Ilkley 20 Morley 12

THIS very satisfying victory was tempered by a strangely disappointing second-half performance which saw the hosts almost throw the game away with poor technique and decision-making.

Ilkley deserved their win and skipper Joe Rowntree's injury-time penalty denied Morley a losing bonus point, demonstrating once again how cruel National League Three North can be.

The Dalesmen moved up to eighth after completing the double over the visitors who remain deep in the relegation zone.

Morley had arrived at Stacks Field determined to avenge their defeat in the reverse fixture and they started brightly.

The Maroons had worked hard on their scrummaging since being mauled by the Ilkley pack earlier in the season, but the home side always had the edge.

Regrettably, this superiority failed to translate to the line-out, which once again cost the Dalesmen dearly in terms of possession and lost opportunity.

Rowntree missed with a penalty before Ilkley took the lead with a try when their outstanding prop Ollie Holtam set up a maul. Rowntree made a smart break and flanker Martyn Mitchell was on hand to take the scoring pass. Rowntree's conversion made it 7-0.

Scenting blood now, Ilkley upped their game and when Morley’s clearance kick was fielded by J-H Johnson on the half-way line, the try looked on.

Head down, the number eight reverted to type and barrelled through two would-be tacklers before offloading to the supporting Rob Rekis. The winger made ground before finding Elliot Morgan who scored in the corner. Rowntree's superb conversion extended the lead to 14-0.

Ilkley were now looking dangerous every time they had ball in hand. A second penalty miss by Rowntree was followed by a trademark break out of defence by Ben Magee.

The full-back was brought down, but Morley offended at the ruck. A quick penalty was taken and the try looked to be a formality before referee Pete Stentiford penalised the home side for crossing, a harsh decision as the Morley defence was in disarray.

That try would surely have put the game to bed, but Morley knew they were in with a chance as the second half got underway.

It was Ilkley who bossed the first ten minutes, setting up a marvellous opportunity when Morgan hoisted a kick aimed squarely at Morley full back Henry Shiell, who knocked on in the ensuing tackle. The same player sliced a clearance kick in his 22 and Ilkley won the line-out, eventually being awarded a scrum under the posts.

It was a golden opportunity but some poor passing in the backs let Morley off the hook and they came back at their hosts with some aggression.

A flare-up in the centre of the field resulted in Nathan Smith being shown a yellow card, but Mark Chester pushed his penalty kick wide.

Ilkley’s luck ran out with the next play. Morley exerted good pressure and Mike Ashford was driven over from a line-out with the weakened Ilkley pack unable to resist.

A good catch and there was the Morley pack, driving the weakened Ilkley pack over the line for flanker Mike Ashford to touch down, Chester adding the extras to reduce the deficit to five points.

Ilkley needed a rapid response and duly delivered, earning a penalty after Pat Power’s well-crafted entry into the line was halted illegally. Rowntree had a lot to do from just inside the opposition half, but over it went and back on came Smith.

With 20 minutes remaining, Morley made their hosts very uncomfortable indeed. Sloppy defending allowed former Ilkley player Bandon Hamman to score a try which Chester converted to cut the deficit to three points.

Rowntree missed a long-range penalty which would have given Ilkley more breathing space and back came Morley again.

The home defence stood up to the test by tackling winger Andy Funnell into touch.

There was time though for another shambolic line-out before the ball went to ground and Ilkley hacked through, making 50m before Dion Hendricks was halted illegally.

This time Rowntree made no mistake and his kick proved to be the last of the match, 20-12 to Ilkley, much to the relief of all concerned.