Ilkley A 30, Otliensians 17

Ilkley's league championship winning second XV overcame spirited defiance from Old Otliensians in the first round of the Sulzer sponsored Aire-Wharfe Cup on Tuesday evening.

In conditions perfect for open running rugby and in cool but pleasant evening sunshine Ilkley, under the solid captaincy of veteran David Duxbury, turned on the style to record a 30-17 victory and move on to round two, a tough away game at Bradford Salem on Wednesday evening, kick-off 6.30pm.

With Ian Boyd officiating his 866th match since his glory days as a wing/full-back at Ilkley almost a quarter of a century ago the match got off to an inauspicious start as Duxbury spilled a pass to allow Otliensian Tony Collins to gather and power over for a try.

They were soon back in the match as great flowing back movements and solid rucking and mauling won two penalties in a row. Justin Hewitt made no mistake with either and his side were 6-5 ahead, a lead which was to be threatened but not surrendered. The Otley side seemed intent on getting a result, the No 8 in particular with some disregard to the laws or his opponents heads. He was lucky to remain on the field after two high tackles.

BJ Fowler was cleaning up line ball and making good use of the ball at the base of scrums. From a scrum won against the head Fowler made 20 metres before being trip tackled on the line.

From the scrum Ollie Coughlan sold an outrageous dummy and crossed to go in under the posts. Hewitt again made the kick.

The Ilkley backs then began to show their considerable talent and power, Andy Hinchcliffe and Phil Moffatt both beating men well before laying off good second phase ball. Justin Hewitt was then almost in twice on the wide right but Otliensians scrambled the ball clear. Moffatt ran it back on the left powering through three or four tacklers before putting the elusive Weatherby away to jink through and add another five points.

With an 18-5 half-time lead Ilkley began to ring the changes, Christopher Hems replaced the plucky hard tackling Ben Murgatroyd. Hinchcliffe was replaced shortly after having sustained a head wound.

The second period had Ilkley attacking but failing with the final pass or being turned over at vital moments. Otliensians were finding space difficult to come by and Ilkley not able to apply the killer blow.

After periods of sustained pressure they were warded a penalty under the posts. Coughlan with all the enterprise you could wish for in a scrum-half let ambition rule his head. A flung a long pass out wide in the general direction of his centre only for Jamie Pinguenet to intercept and sprint the full length of the field to put his side back in contention at 18-12.

Now it was the visitors who were powering back but Ilkley's defence, whilst somewhat erratic was always solid, did not give way. It was desperate stuff on occasions but it was effective enough.

Then came the try of the match. Unusually the Ilkley scrum was sent backwards but the ball was well picked up by the plucky Coughlan. He dummied one and looped round another to send Hewitt away down the right. Hewitt passed inside back to Coughlan who off-loaded to Fowler rampaging up in support. The No 8 charged in out wide making it 23-12.

The blues were not out this contest yet though. They won successive penalties deep in Ilkley territory and, from the third, powerhouse and great Otliensians' stalwart Richard Smith went over for a well- deserved try to narrow the margin to six points at 23-17.

Then, as if to add insult to injury, Ilkley struck back. As the Otliensians tried courageously to run out of trouble the ever watchful Duxbury swooped on to a speculative pass to grab the ball at the second attempt and score under the posts.

A successful kick made the final score an emphatic 30-17 victory. Ilkley can be sure it will not be so straightforward at league three promotion hopefuls Salem.