Selby 19 Ilkley 19

Phil Howell was the model of composure as he lined up the conversion to tie the scores.

His kick, from 45 degrees and on the 22 sailed through the uprights to set up a nail-biting final five minutes for both sets of fans.

With Peter Shanks sidelined the Dalesmens’ goal-kicking force was reduced to just Howell and, with painful memories when kicking goals looked near impossible for him, his two successful conver- sions in this match were all the more notable and commendable.

Selby looked a much-improved side to the one the Dalesmen had seen off at Stacks Field in November.

Prodigal son Dan Porter has returned to his club following bench warming duties at Hull.

He certainly gave his men an added dimension with his lines of running and great kicking game.

Having said that, the Dalesmen were their own worst enemy with a below-par game in possession and a penalty count against them of 16-8.

Referee Gary Pearce knows his way round a rugby pitch and all the tricks of the trade, having graced the hallowed turf of Cardiff Arms Park in a Wales jersey and many other club sides before taking up the whistle.

He was quick onto every offence and late in the game it seemed that the Dalesmen were committing all of them. Penalty fever could have been fatal if young Porter’s boot had been on target with two attempts from long range after Ilkley had equalised for the second time.

However, fortune smiles on the brave, and his kicks were just wide of the posts.

The Dalesmen can also justifiably bemoan Mr Pearce’s refusal of two claims for tries, one after Tom Maclean had crossed the line and the other following a great drive from a line-out close in.

Selby too were held up after they opened up Ilkley’s defence left and right when seemingly it was easier to score than pass. However pass they did and brave last-ditch defence stopped them short.

Selby opened up a 12-0 half time lead with tries by the talented Porter after a great move following a clearance that gifted the home side possession.

They added the second on the stroke of half-time when the Dalesmens’ tackling deserted them and another superb patch of play put prop Tereina MaClean in. Porter delivered the two points for a 12-0 interval lead.

The half-time oranges must have had a Dales tonic because Ilkley set off the second half with a veng- eance.

They won a line-out five metres from the Selby line, the ball coming off the fingertips of the Selby wing from a great Howell touchfinder.

The drive was held up but skipper and centre Stuart Vincent popped up to score a try which Howell converted.

Fifteen minutes of end to end stuff saw Selby squander their two best field positions while Ilkley looking ragged in attack.

There appeared little danger when Howell took a 22 metre drop-out.

Carelessly the ball was dropped and it bounced up into the hands of Andy Matthews.

With 40 metres of clear water between him and the line he stuck his ears back and outsprinted the desperate Selby defenders strain- ing every sinew in his body to get there.

The scores were level at 12-12 with 20 minutes to go.

Now came the outbreak of penalty fever by the Dalesmen.

One put Selby inside their 22 with a line-out which was well secured. Good play found full back Ben Lunt with three Ilkley defenders to beat.

He broke through three weak tackles to score. Porter added the goal to restore Selby’s seven-point lead.

Ilkley hit back and, whilst possession wasn’t treated with the care it deserved, they took the game to Selby.

Matthews gave way to Joe Spencer and Pete Small limped off for Ryan Grange to replace him.

A great drive from broken play brought the vital score, the touchdown claimed by man of the match Leon Treco.

That man Howell did the business to bag Ilkley two more valuable league points.

A draw was probably the fair result for a finely balanced though outstandingly ugly game.

The monkey remains on Selby's back. They still have never beaten Ilkley in a league fixture.