Otley 29 Ilkley 0

JUST to emphasise what they were missing in the last pre-season friendly before league action starts on Saturday, all of Otley's points in this derby were scored by former Ilkley players.

Otley's head coach Charlie Maunder gave opportunities to players who haven't had much game-time, resting those who were carrying knocks.

Initially things didn't go well for Otley as Nazir Karim limped off after their first attack broke down.

The home side were then forced to defend for much of the first quarter, showing great resilience in keeping an energetic Ilkley side from scoring.

But eventually Otley did breakout and, after a kerfuffle involving Otley's Declan Dunn, were on the scoreboard. Moving the ball both ways across the width of the pitch, Paul Petchey went over in the clubhouse corner.

On the half-hour, the hosts extended their lead when, after a quick penalty, the ball was worked right and Stephen Nolson scored, with the conversion attempt shaving the wrong side of the post.

Still in the game, Ilkley tried to reduce the deficit before half-time, with Joe Lowes being held up over the line by a solid Otley defence.

In the second-half, the hosts attacked down both flanks but, at the vital moment, lost the ball.

It was still anybody’s game, however, although Otley were beginning to dominate the scrum.

The home side were frequently walking their opponents back five metres before shipping the ball out or getting a penalty.

The pressure told on the visitors in the last 10 minutes.

A Joe Graham pass set up Ben Magee, who ran from the middle of his half to score in front of the posts, giving Joe Rowntree an easy conversion.

This was followed by two more long-range tries.

The first was by Rowntree, who ran to the left-hand corner from his own 22.

In the dying moments, Nolson capitalised when Ilkley fumbled the ball on the halfway line and he sped his way to the posts, with Rowntree’s conversion being followed by the final whistle.