Kendal 19 Ilkley 8

ILKLEY sprang a big surprise for their rearranged National Three North game at Kendal with skipper Joe Rowntree being replaced by former England under- 20s scrum half Jack Maplesden.

It was a big call by the management team and it said much about Rowntree that he demonstrated his commitment to the club by cheering his side on.

Elliot Morgan led the side in Rowntree's absence with his younger brother Charles taking over the kicking duties.

Despite another big shift from all 18 players, the Dalesmen suffered their third defeat of the new year.

They had edged the first half with a last-minute drop goal from Charles Morgan to take a 3-0 lead into the interval.

The half had been a really absorbing game of rugby with Ilkley holding off a sustained early period of pressure before coming back to finish the half on top.

They had several clear-cut chances to cross the line. The two best were squandered, one with a lucky Hornets' boot just blocking Chris Gemmell's grubber, the other when a training ground move went to ground.

Both these were off the back of line-outs won close to the Kendal line. Both should have had better reward.

Kieron Dannett and Harry Adams have certainly added that bit of height to the Dalesmen's line-out and it was a body blow to see the unfortunate Dannett have to leave the field after a blow to the head.

His injury plagued season continues unabated. Charlie Davy came on in the back row with Martyn Mitchell going into lock.

Kendal were playing towards the clubhouse end in the second half where the bulk of their passionate supporters were gathered.

The balance of power shifted back towards the home side aided and abetted by some unforced errors.

For ten minutes the visitors held firm but an Ilkley attack was frustrated as a ball was dislodged in the tackle and Kendal cleared long.

A disrupted line-out led to a scrum for Kendal which resulted in centre Zane Butler scoring a fine try.

A further setback followed after a high tackle gave the Hornets another line-out deep in Ilkley territory.

This time Kendal put together seven or eight phases with the try line in touching distance. Eventually the siege was successful as referee Dave Charlton awarded a try in amongst a pile of bodies.

The Dalesmen responded well and it was the Kendal defence who were again called on to dig deep.

A great attack down the right saw winger Luke Freer speed in at the corner to reduce the deficit to 12-8.

Kendal responded with the now proven formula and the pressure exerted resulted in their big pack forcing a try.

The Dalesmen had a mountain to climb to rescue even a losing bonus point.

They gave it their best shot with runs from deep and sheer guts and determination in defence.

Charles Ramsey who replaced Charles Morgan. Lewis Johnston, Elliot Morgan, Freer and Ben Magee all set up scoring opportunities but the Hornets' defence held firm.

Both sides were generously applauded by the partisan home crowd. Their men had won, but they acknowledged the part Ilkley had played in an uncompromising, seriously hard, entertaining game of rugby on a difficult claggy surface.