Ilkley 10

Skipton 10

After taking a pounding from floods, rain, more rain and snow the Ilkley pitch was only just playable, and this thanks to the efforts of the grounds team during week.

The morning's battering from high winds and snow did not dampen the spirits of both sets of supporters and a good crowd was assembled to see this crucial derby encounter. Actually the game began in stunning sunshine, the snow capped Cow and Calf rocks enhancing this perfect setting for rugby.

Ilkley had made one enforced change, Nick Bell was out with bruised ribs giving young Ian Moffatt the chance to reclaim his place at full-back.

His elder brother Alan was again in at second row and Chris Pring returned from a work-enforced lay-off.

Skipton came with high hopes of achieving the double over their Wharfedale rivals having shaded their home game by one point in the last seconds of the match. Skipton are a slick outfit with considerable ambitions.

With the pitch in its waterlogged state handling and good flowing rugby were to be at a premium but this game was played with an intensity and real determination by both sides. It is a credit to both players and, in particular the referee Mr Griffiths that the crowd was well rewarded with some stirring though not very pretty rugby.

For once it was Ilkley who kept their heads in terms of penalty count, Skipton being the offending party on too many occasions for comfort. Having said that, it was almost impossible to maintain footing and both sides were penalised for infringements on the ground.

Ilkley opened well. First Cadman was set up for a drop goal attempt which sailed just wide. Then Ilkley won the first of many penalties, this one well within range. Cadman duly obliged to give Ilkley the early advantage.

Poor handling allowed Skipton into Ilkley's 22, and after a short throw to the front they were awarded a penalty for deliberate knock-on. The goal attempt was wide.

Ilkley responded strongly with Pring putting Kelly on the chase down the left. From the line Cadman again got position for a drop goal attempt, this time the ball seemed to scrape over the bar but referee adjudged it was just wide. Another Ilkley penalty attempt was also just wide of the mark.

Then the men from Craven got their forwards into motion and threatened Ilkley's line for fully ten minutes. Solid defence from the black and reds assisted by Skipton infringements at crucial moments kept them at bay. Ilkley scrambled the ball clear to kick upfield but again had trouble finding touch.

Ilkley were forced behind their own line and after a nervous moment when it seemed the ball could go loose at any time, touched down to concede the five metre scrum. Again the defence held firm. Skipton came back but they did not get within sight of the Ilkley line again before half-time.

The defensive effort had been tremendous and the half-time break came as welcome relief.

A 3-0 cushion was a crumb of comfort because holding on to scoring opportunities in the conditions was difficult for both sides. Equally anything can happen when hands are cold and eyes clogged with mud.

This time it was two poor kicks that put Ilkley under pressure and after the Skipton pack had secured possession on the Ilkley 22 a penalty was conceded in just about the same position as Ilkley's successful shot in the early stages. Cadman's opposite number Oldfield made no mistake to even the scores at three all.

Ilkley were spurred on with this setback and began to look the dominant force. Great close in mauling by Christopher Hems, Dave Bussell and Joe Widdup was winning back ball. Andrew Johnson, Ben Wade and the rampant Stuart Nesbit were holding the scrum together well and on occasions moved the powerful looking Skipton scrum back. Matt Newberry and Alan Moffatt were securing more and more good line-out ball as Skipton conceded penalty after penalty and Cadman pegged them back into their own 22. The Ilkley rumble was employed to good effect.

Second and third phase ball was recycled to put Sean Gilbert then Andy Hinchliffe in with good chances. The Skipton defence was as robust as Ilkley's had been in the first-half until the ball was whipped out to Gilbert coming in on a great line. Hinchliffe made touch five metres out and the line was stolen.

The Ilkley pack, straining every sinew, took the ball to the line and once again Nesbit was there to burrow through to score just in from touch. Anthony Cadman made a great kick to secure the seven points and put Ilkley a score ahead at 10-3.

Skipton do not take setbacks lightly but for a few more minutes it looked as though Ilkley could build on this slender lead. Cadman was able to pin them back as more penalties were conceded, so much so that the reds began to take issue with the referee. Twice they paid the price being sent back ten metres.

Alan Moffatt was forced to retire with mud in his eye. Eddie Jones replaced him. Jones was immediately in the action following up a kick to good effect. This set up another Ilkley foray.

Ben McDonald was replaced by young Dan Nulty. Ilkley continued to press. Then suddenly it was all change. Skipton broke out of defense through some sloppy tackling and winger Lacy was away down the right only to be hauled down in sight of the Ilkley line.

Now it was Ilkley defending for all their worth. Now the penalties began to fall in Skipton's favour. Play was back in Ilkley's danger zone for what seemed like an eternity. Then, on a rare break out Cadman put Hinchliffe away again but he was held up, this after more Skipton debates on the laws with the man in charge.

Ray Dennis came on to relieve Andrew Johnson who had put in a mighty effort up front.

Skipton won an innocuous looking scrum inside their own half and Chris Pring picked up at the back adjudging the ball to be out. The referee disagreed and Ilkley were sent back by the kick to their own 22. Now Skipton put the Ilkley line under siege. Great forward play assisted by two crucially missed tackles allowed prop Jenkinson to batter his way through under the posts for the seemingly inevitable score. It is a shame Ilkley could not have forced out wide for the try. Oldfield had an easy kick to level the scores and set up a tense finish. Ilkley too do not lie down easily and they pushed Skipton back to launch a final rumble but a winning score was not to be.

It was a fair result on balance although when Ilkley had their noses in front they had looked the most likely winners.

l On Saturday Ilkley entertain league leaders Dinnington at Stacks Field, kick-off 2.15 p.m.