Bradford Salem...12

Ilkley......................19

HERE we go again! Another bottom of the league clash featuring two old adversaries who are leaving it late to salvage their season in Yorkshire Two.

For the first time in months the players had a dry pitch to play on but with a lazy east wind blowing across the ground to make handling a tricky business.

Ilkley started off very, taking play to the Salem 22 but as we've seen in previous weeks continued to make mistakes and concede unnecessary penalties, so after ten minutes Salem's number one kicked a penalty.

Salem made inroads into the Ilkley half and a technical infringement made it 6-0. After half-an-hour the Salem number six was sin-binned for dangerous play at a line-out, and Hewitt kicked a good goal making it 6-3.

From the kick-off Salem pressurised Ilkley and several players were caught off-side, the kick was successful and Salem led 9-3 at half-time. The Ilkley supporters who had travelled in their hordes were witnessing a very nervy game from both sides which was turning into a goal-kicking contest.

Nobody could grab hold of the game, Salem had a big pack who were mainly ineffectual and content to deal the dirt at close quarters, whilst Ilkley looked the better team but continually pressed the self-destruct button when confronted with the Salem goal line.

The contest continued into the second-half with Hewitt kicking three good penalty goals to give Ilkley a 12-9 lead after 20 minutes, only for Salem to level.

Matt Newbury then had to leave the field having sustained a blow to the head, to be replaced by Allan Moffatt, making his debut after injury in a pre-season trial match.

He made some good driving runs and showed aggression.

The game now moved into Salem's 22, Ilkley won good scrum ball and Chris Pring kicked to the corner.

Ben McDonald, following up intelligently, collected a kindly bouncing ball and scored a try wide out. Hewitt converted from the touchline and the referee, who had travelled from St Albans, blew his whistle for no side and Ilkley were chuffed with another victory.

l On Saturday Ilkley have another league game, yet to be confirmed.

Old Brods.................5

Ilkley U-10s............40

Springtime may have come to Wharfedale but Halifax will be gripped by a winter of despair following Ilkley's demolition of the old enemy.

It is a tribute to the dedicated coaching of Tim Ross, together with Tom Gillon and Charlie Cooper, that Ilkley were so dominant against a team which three years ago were their equals.

Ilkley started as they meant to go on and never allowed Old Brods to settle. Fierce rucking and determined driving rocked the home team back.

It was not long before Calum Gillon picked up and crossed the line from five yards out, followed by a well-deserved try for the hard-working Karl Houchen.

Will Marlow, who seems to get faster every time he puts his boots on, ran in four magnificent tries as well as putting in several fine tackles.

Ryan Cooper worked tirelessly as usual, tackling ferociously, and was eventually rewarded with an excellent try, as was the powerful Oliver Cargill.

Outstanding amongst the non-scorers were Jack Arundell for his committed driving and Harry Kirwan, whose text book tackles were applauded even by the Old Brods supporters.

It will be interesting to see how well this fine team can perform against the top Lancashire sides in next week's Vale of Lune tournament.

Ilkley faced some of the top sides in the north-west when they travelled to the Vale of Lune Festival on Sunday.

Ilkley U-10s..........20

Vale of Lune.........20

Ilkley opened the scoring against the home team when Josh Parry picked up and made a strong run for the line, but it soon turned out to be a tough game with Ilkley trailing by four tries to two.

Ryan Cooper, scorer of the second try, added a third and in the final seconds Richard Rhodes forced his way over to earn the draw.

Ilkley U-10s...........40

Fleetwood..............10

Although Ilkley conceded the opening try they quickly asserted themselves with an equaliser from Player-of-the- Tour Calum Gillon who, together with Jack Arundell, worked tirelessly all day.

Hat-tricks followed for both Richard Rhodes and Ryan Cooper, with a try from Will Marlow putting the final touches to the scoreline.

Ilkley U-10s...........5

Fylde..................20

Ilkley came up against the a very strong side in what proved to be their toughest game of the tour. One try from the energetic Ryan Cooper is all they could manage although the final score was slightly flattering to Fylde who benefited from a couple of defensive errors by the Ilkley boys.

Ilkley U-10s..........10

Waterloo...............10

The final game saw Ilkley twice coming from behind against a well-organised Waterloo side, but the two tries which Will Marlow scored gave Ilkley the draw they certainly deserved.

Unfortunately they needed a win to progress to the semi-finals but Ilkley can take credit from four excellent performances played without either of their regular props.