Wirral 18 Ilkley 15

AFTER eight North Premier League matches, Ilkley’s playing record is identical to last season’s, having won four and lost four.

The good news is that they have 20 points now compared with 18 this time last season – the bad news is that it should be more.

Wirral can count themselves fortunate in winning an intensely close encounter with the last kick of the match, especially as Ilkley played with 14 men after Joe Lowes was given a straight red for an alleged butt after 14 minutes.

Ilkley had made a lot of changes following their defeat at Pocklington. Ollie Holtham and Henrik Ek started in the front row, Luke Freer replaced Chris Gemmell in the centre and Jack Maplesden and Charles Morgan made up the half-backs. Will Coates and Lowes were the two new flankers.

Despite these changes, Ilkley started well and took an early lead when an attacking scrum was won in Wirral’s 22.

Pat Power picked up at number eight and fed Maplesden who touched down without a hand being laid on him. Ben Magee’s great conversion made it 7-0.

Referee Elliot Lewis penalised both sides remorselessly all afternoon, but it was Ilkley that first had a shot at goal, when Wirral got a little too lippy but Magee's kick drifted wide.

Both sides had started in aggressive fashion and it was third round of handbags that led to Lowes’ dismissal, when the flanker saw red when team-mate Adam Newman was being set upon.

There can be little doubt that Wirral were handed a huge advantage.

Unsurprisingly, Ilkley lost the ascendancy and Wirral eventually capitalised after half an hour when they won a line-out in the Ilkley 22 following a penalty kick to touch.

The ball was spun wide and superior numbers told as centre Danny Harvey powered over under the posts, is brothehr Craig converting to level the scores.

Wirral continued to pile on the pressure, but Ilkley defended well and had seemed to clear the danger only to hear referee Lewis's whistle once more for handling in the ruck. James Annetts duly kicked the goal and his side led 10-7 at half-time.

Ilkley had reorganised well for the second half and it showed. Even losing Martyn Mitchell to a shoulder injury did not disrupt proceedings, as replacement Max McKay deputised well.

Their scrum held up well too, led by the redoubtable Holtham, whose drives served as an inducement to his side to take the game to Wirral. Luke Freer in the centre also showed he was well worth his place, with some fine breaks.

As the last quarter approached Magee was given the chance to shine and the full-back made a good 80 metres before being hauled down by a desperate defence. Wirral were last to the ruck and were penalised, allowing Magee to level the scores at 10-10.

The intensity of the game increased further when Wirral again used their numerical superiority to good effect when Ilkley lost possession in midfield.

Right wing Mark Williams made good ground and the ball was well recycled for replacement left wing Kieran Cook to dot down, the conversion missing.

It took another great run by Magee to bring his side back into the game, with a deft pass to the supporting Charles Morgan. The Ilkley stand-off chipped through for Josh Hall who won the race to touch down to make it 15-15 with a conversion to come.

There was more controversy as the ball suddenly found itself over the fence onto the adjoining cricket field – one wondered how.

By the time Magee had retrieved it, Mr Lewis indicated that he had no time left, so it came as no surprise that the hastily taken kick missed.

The Dalesmen would have been delighted with a draw, but both Wirral and Mr Lewis had other ideas.

Stuart Gratton’s slightly delayed throw in to a line-out tempted Ilkley to jump too soon and they were awarded a kickable penalty which Annetts, duly despatched to win the game.

Despite being a man down for most of the game, Ilkley deserved better than this.