Ilkley 26, Leodiensians 10

Even standing on the touchline was a hazardous occupation as these two old rivals laid on an exciting and absorbing encounter played in the teeth of a gale blowing straight across Stacks Field.

Ilkley eventually came out on top largely because their scrummaging dominated Leos and they took the greater proportion of their own line-out ball.

Leos have a National Cup semi-final next week and that might have been on their minds. Moreso on the Dalesmen's minds is still that promotion spot.

Ilkley started well. They dominated the first ten minutes with great driving play only frustrating themselves as, three times, they were almost over but a spilled ball and two penalty offences allowed Leos off the hook.

Finally after the forwards had driven on again the ball was released well by Tim Barley to Anthony Cadman. Cadman found Nicky Howe with a beauty. Howe's dancing legs put him in space to ghost over.

Then came some self-inflicted pressure after Ilkley had been penalised for crossing. Leos attacked but Ilkley had the scrum ten metres out. They won it but were harassed into passing down the line behind their goal line.

Leos had the scrum. Ilkley were penalised for pushing early but gallant defence held the Leos up on the line. Then yet another penalty was conceded. Leos made touch two metres out, Allan Moffatt made a vital steal and Cadman cleared.

Now Ilkley began to build up the pressure once again. A line-out was well won on half way. Nick Brook broke off from the drive. He found Justin Hewitt charging up on his shoulder. Hewitt set Barley up with a great inside pass to put his scrum half clear and through for try number two. Hewitt kicked well and Ilkley were 12-0 up and well on top. The euphoria was short-lived as Leos attacked down the left from the kick off. Ilkley were driven back and for once their defences looked shaky.

The ball was re-cycled well for Leos to launch another attack down the blind side. Prop Matt Grant was on hand to sieze on to a good pass and barge his way over in the corner to put the Leos back in the game at 12-5.

Ilkley then found some more cohesion and in amongst a rash of penalty offences they threatened again, Howe looking every bit the bit the class player as he broke again into Leos 22. Charlie Cudworth too was on fire taking the game close in to the Leos.

A kicking match developed as both sides tried to take advantage of the wind, neither making ground or touch as the ball to and froed until Leos' Edie finally put a kick into touch on Ilkley's 22. Ilkley had to sustain another scare as this time they were penalised for crossing.

The first-half ended with a seven point lead but those hungry Leos feeling they were still in with a chance.

Their chance was further eroded as the Dalesmen started the second period well. They broke well down the blind side with the scoring pass being knocked on.

Leos struggled to clear with their scrum now under increasing pressure. A loose ball was picked up by Cudworth who went straight for the line without a hand being laid on him.

His fine try was improved by Hewitt to put Ilkley 19-5 up and into what should have a comfortable lead. But these Leos do not lie down.

Gus Rogers was sent on to replace the old warrior Moffatt. Ilkley leaked yet more penalties, mighty Mike Leeson being lectured for a scrummaging offence.

Three penalties later and Ilkley were back in their own 22, with the added spectre of Rogers being spoken to and yellow-carded.

Down to 14 men Ilkley had to dig deep and dig they did. Rogers was ignored by referee Mr Trueman for what seemed like 15 minutes.

While he was off the field Ilkley only once got into Leos half and were forced to defend a fierce onslaught form the resurgent Leeds outfit. Only some unusually poor kicking from Dan Edie and that gallant Ilkley defensive effort prevented a Leos' score.

Wave after wave of Leos forays were repelled. Penalty after penalty was conceded. Finally the lines broke as tenacious scrum Matt Sale broke blind to find No 8 Dewey with a run in to score out wide. Edie almost drifted his kick in but Ilkley were still nine points ahead at 19-10. Ilkley had more defending to do and still Leos were still benefiting from the penalty count. It was a Leos' penalty offence that finally lifted the siege. Cadman cleared to the Leos' 22. Ilkley dominated the final period. The non-stop Pell stole a Leos' line on the 22 and again picked up with five metres to go to score Ilkley's fourth try. Hewitt stroked the conversion over to cap a great day's work by this never-say-die Ilkley team.

l On Saturday Ilkley entertain Beverley in the Yorkshire Shield (3pm).