Malton and Norton 24 Ilkley 18

ILKLEY paid for lapses of concentration as they were defeated in a pulsating game.

At the end there wasn’t much between the two teams with the Dalesmen picking up a bonus point – they have never had one of those before! – for keeping the margin within seven points and Malton picking up four for victory.

Rugby is an attritional game of physicality and skill both in defence and attack and this game had plenty of those attributes.

But, it is also a mind game, a bit like a game of chess – one false move and it can be curtains.

This is where Ilkley became unstuck. A poor line-out, a scrum inexplicably lost against the head, a couple of poor touch finders when caution was required and a loose pass when possession in any form would have done really did for the Dalesmen. It’s ok to roll out the “what ifs” but, in a game of such fine margins, those little things made all the difference.

The game swayed first Malton's way as an early penalty kick edged the home side into a 3-0 lead.

That put Malton into the box seat and 20 minutes of pressure playing down the slope gave the excellent back line plenty of ball.

Just one try materialised, that going to Henry Newitt, Malton’s flying winger after the Dalesmen had been turned over by what looked a little like an illegal steal on halfway.

That made it 8-0 and a couple of minutes later a penalty conceded close in after intense pressure on the Ilkley line gave the North Yorkshiremen a comfortable 11-0 lead.

This setback stunned the Dalesmen into life. Their scrum began to dominate. Their line-out was secure.

From a well won line-out on half way Ilkley drove in true style. Kirk Arundale broke blind to find Richard Greenfield out wide.

He showed a clean pair of heels to the Malton defence going in for a try. Peter Shanks missed the conversion but added a penalty just before half time to put the match back into balance at 11-8.

The second half started on the same note with Arundale again finding Greenfield for another try to put the Dalesmen ahead, deservedly so, for the first time 13-11.

For 20 minutes Ilkley looked as though they would consolidate their lead but the Malton defence was superb, forcing the visitors into mistakes and the odd unnecessary penalty to relieve their line.

It is in these very circumstances when the mind games set in. Ilkley failed to score when they were in the ascendancy and when Malton fought their way back they conceded penalty after penalty.

The Dalesmen’s defence was also secure and, having failed with attempts to bag a try, it was a penalty goal the finally put Malton back in front 14-11. Back came the Dalesmen but they too failed to score and missed a penalty attempt too.

It was a clearance to half way following a penalty conceded by Ilkley when in a scoring position that caught the Dalesmen’s backs in a dilemma.

The loose pass was made and the ball lost. Malton came through in swarms and eventually prop Adam Turnbull went over to put the game two scores out of Ilkley's reach 21-11.

Hands in a the ruck cost them a further penalty before Hamish Pratt added respectability and the bonus point by going over from close in after a late Dalesmen surge.

This was by no means a bad start for the Dalesmen albeit they will be disappointed to have been beaten when they were clearly capable of securing a victory.

In the end the difference was made by the two Malton centres Tony Maka and Teei Piawa who kicked the goals. These two and the wingers, brothers Henry and Tom Newitt, had the edge in the backs division.

There were satisfying and competent debuts for young Tom Maclean on Ilkley’s wing, Leon Treco at openside flanker and later on hooker, replacement Christian Baines.

There was also a welcome return to the ranks for Tim Barley, Kirk Arundale, Joe Farad and Pete Small. There will surely be better things to come for Ilkley as the Yorkshire One season unfolds.

This week Ilkley entertain Knottingley in a league fixture that will be the final ever league match using the existing clubhouse and changing rooms.

The contractors move into the site on Monday and after that it will be a season of make do and mend with the facilities of the Ilkley Cricket Club being used for hospitality and temporary changing rooms.

There may be one or two tears shed and glasses raised by the Stacks Field devotees after the match, but those who can are being asked to report to the club on Monday to help with a clear out. The new era is dawning.