Roundhegians 0

Ilkley ............ 17

A typically grey Easter Saturday afternoon greeted the large contingent of Ilkley supporters to their league match with Roundhegians.

Following their recent revival with four out of six league victories Ilkley were now only one point behind their opponents.

From the kick-off it was clear that the Leeds men were to be one of the strongest opponents Ilkley had faced all season.

Ilkley were under severe and sustained pressure. Wave after wave of attacks being bravely repelled by some awe

some tackling by all 15 Ilkley men. Outstanding were centres Merkin and Bennett and full-back Moffatt.

Roundhegians were assisted in maintaining the pressure on Ilkley by five penalties in quick succession, all for offside. These offences pushed the referee beyond tolerance and Ilkley were to find themselves under even greater pressure as stalwart No 8 Hems was ordered under the posts for a ten minute compulsory break from the game.

With 14 men it seemed that the dam would break but Ilkley's defences were impregnable. Both Kelly and MacDonald received treatment, the latter for a cut eye. Finally, after 20 minutes, the siege was lifted.

Moffatt got a boot to the ball on his 22 and took play into the Roundhegians' half for only the third time in the game. The green and blacks again countered only for the Hewitt boot to save the day.

A great break by Phil Merkin was stopped midfield.

By the time Hems was recalled to the fray the crowd was beginning to sense that the 'Hegians' fire might just be burning out. Now it was Ilkley who were beginning to turn on the pressure and force 'Hegians to concede penalties. Ilkley began to take the game to them but a counter by 'Hegians' full-back Smith was met by a stunning but marginally high tackle by Bennett. The goal attempt was again short. Next it was young Ian Moffatt who was to pull of a try-saving tackle

More forays into Ilkley territory were held up, each attack that little less threatening. Each time one could sense the defence growing in stature and confidence. Hewitt kicked a crucial first attempt of the match at goal for a precious three point lead.

The second-half started with Ilkley looking to have benefited most from the half-time exhortations. Merkin made a superb break only to be stopped by the last defender. The ball was then worked out from the blind side of a scrum only for Kelly to be tackled into touch.

A key to unlocking the deadlock in this tense affair was the tight five. Loose head Leeson had given his experienced opponent a torrid afternoon - he finally left the field with five minutes to go - and Dennis and Wade began to get the upperhand.

The line-out had been well secured by Pell and Newberry all game. With their confidence growing by the minute Ilkley were now constantly on the offensive.

A penalty was given and with the front rowers in command a scrum was called. Possession was secured but the green and black defences proved good until Pring, taking the ball at unstoppable speed, burst through to score. Back row grit and determination in Cudworth, Widdup and Hems was prominent as it has been all through this helter-skelter season.

The turning point of the match was a superb man and ball tackle by Man-of-the- Match Phil Merkin. Pring released first Widdup, then Cudworth, and finally MacDonald to execute the coup de grace. This was a score of textbook quality. The converted try put the game out of 'Hegians' reach sending the large band of Ilkley followers home with delight.

l A home win on Saturday against Sheffield Tigers would enhance their survival chances