National League Three North: Ilkley 17 Kendal 3

IT might have been April Fool's Day, but there were no fools on show at Stacks Field on Saturday as the Dalesmen stuck rigorously to their game plan and duly enjoyed the spoils of victory in an absorbing encounter.

The win was revenge for a narrow defeat at Kendal in January, but, more importantly, ensured that Ilkley cannot now be overtaken by any of the five sides below them in the league.

Once again, Ilkley absorbed everything that their opponents could throw at them in a defensive performance of the highest order, and even when J-J Johnson was bizarrely shown a yellow card, Ilkley simply upped their efforts and Kendal were unable to profit from their extra man.

Ilkley had a good start when, having won a line-out 30 metres from Kendal’s line, the visitors offended on their 22 after a clever run by Elliot Morgan, with Joe Rowntree kicking the goal.

There was a mix-up from the kick-off and Kendal gained possession, only to throw a loose pass that was gratefully scooped up by Harry Adams.

Making a good few metres himself, his perfectly-timed pass to the supporting Lewis Johnston enabled the winger to swat a couple of despairing tackles away to run in from the halfway line, Rowntree again obliging to make it 10-0 to Ilkley.

Kendal were clearly not here just to make up the numbers and, even with Ilkley’s defence being watertight, this was not always to the liking of cub referee Jack Le Feuvre, and there seemed to be penalty after penalty in favour of the visitors.

They kicked for position again and again – out of hand and from penalty offences – but eventually the penny dropped that there was nothing to be gained from forward bullying.

Just before Le Feuvre’s umpteenth whistle blew for half-time, Kendal’s Glen Weightman decided enough was enough and opted for an easy chance at goal, which he duly despatched.

At 10-3, Ilkley were looking reasonably comfortable as the second half commenced, but then a few wobbly passages of play allowed an increasingly desperate Kendal back into the game.

This was a brief respite for the visitors as the next Ilkley foray took them into Kendal’s 22.

With the ball in mid air and Kendal’s Damien Armstrong about to clear, Johnston's tackle was deemed to be illegal and off he went to the evident displeasure of the well-lunched crowd.

The yellow card inspired Ilkley more than Kendal, however, and the 14 men played with great passion and self-belief for the ten minutes the No 8 was off the field.

It was Ilkley’s play in this period that won them the game.

Every Kendal attack was repulsed with aplomb and, even with just about every 50-50 decision going against them, the Ilkley defence held out.

Even an uncharacteristic fumble from Rowntree was quickly negated when the winger cleverly intercepted a loose pass and fed the back on-piste Ilkley 15 Ben Magee.

A slalom from left to right found Morgan again and some more fancy footwork led to Ilkley’s second try, courtesy of the tireless Pat Power, with Rowntree’s conversion putting Ilkley out of sight at 17-3.

Kendal had pride to play for and continued to hammer at the Ilkley defence, which didn’t budge an inch.

A couple of late penalties were conceded, which Kendal obligingly kicked dead on both occasions, and then finally Le Feuvre ended his whistle concerto with the one that really mattered – no-side at 17-3 to Ilkley.

This performance was a superb reflection on the players’ ability to respond and react to good coaching, so credit to all involved.

Although this correspondent is sufficiently old-fashioned to disapprove of man of the match awards in a team game, an exception is made to salute the effort of young Harry Adams, who had another outstanding game – and a Champagne moment or two!

The whole day was a great advertisement for amateur sport in the Wharfe Valley, and now the Dalesman can relax and enjoy their last two away matches – against Stockport and Billingham.