Otley Saracens 17

Ilkley 25

Tim Bucknall would have been mighty pleased that this annual contest for the trophy bearing his name was played out in such entertaining style. The two sides were evenly matched, Otley putting out a side with some players with first team claims combined with a good smattering of Saracens and a few Tongans.

Ilkley played an almost full-strength side with the exception of prop forward when two late back words forced them to ask Otley to lend them a stand-in so that proper scrums could take place. John Richards, a regular Tongan, gladly stepped in and actually provided the Dalesmen with the up-front superiority that enabled them to take that trophy back down the Wharfe valley to Ilkley.

This is exactly the kind of sportsmanship this great game of rugby union is built upon. It was a wondrous sight to see big John urging his teammates to up their game as Otley threatened with a late rally.

After a bright opening Ilkley were rocked back on their heels as Otley spun the ball wide out right to find flyer Will Darby with acres of space to scorch in and put his side 5-0 ahead.

To their credit the Dalesmen were not knocked off their game and in fact they came straight back at Otley with only poor finishing denying them the chance. It was 15 minutes before Oliver Mantle received a good ball on the Otley 22. He made a half break to find the rampant BJ Fowler on his shoulder to take the scoring pass and go in under the posts. Otley old boy Simon Smith converted to edge Ilkley in front 5-7.

Ilkley held the upper hand at this stage and they almost scored again but a little loose tongue put paid to that effort. Then Mantle was injured in another attack. Tony Greig came on taking his place in unfamiliar territory in the backs, Smith moved up to stand-off.

Then it was Otley's turn to batter Ilkley defences with some well-aimed kicks and penalties giving them a number of chances. Ilkley's defensive lines held well, whilst Otley's finishing lost its momentum at the last gasp as the ball was not released soon enough or passes were spilled.

Charlie Cudworth and Otley's hooker were yellow-carded forcing the Saras to re-organise their front row.

Ilkley added three more points from a penalty after John Hinchliffe was high tackled as he went on a dangerous looking run cutting inside his centre.

Again Otley came back but again the Dalesmen's defences were in top order as attack after attack was repelled.

Smith cleared well from deep in his 22. Ilkley took the line and Smith and Gilbert combined well to set Hinchliffe up for a great try, cutting inside two to score in close. Smith added the two points to make it 5-17 at half-time.

Otley opened the second period strongly and whilst both sides were showing plenty of flair, the big booming kicks of James Henry were sending Ilkley back into their own 22. After a loose line-out Otley were rewarded with a penalty which was drilled deep into the Ilkley 22. They got the rumble working well but were just held up. From the scrum Ilkley were again penalised and Otley worked the ball well to set Ben Fear up for a super try under the posts which Simon Hawkins converted. The deficit was reduced to 12-17.

Otley then lost their number five lock to a yellow card and Ilkley were able to take the sting out of the home side's fight-back. They were not helped by some poor passing and a couple of knock-ons at key moments but to give Ilkley credit, they defended well.

It was the Dalesmen who got the next score. This time Smith and Hinchliffe combined well to put Sean Gilbert in for a splendid try to make it 12-22. Smith added a further penalty to give Otley the task of scoring two converted tries to win.

Despite throwing everything at their opponents they found only one more scoring opportunity when Adrian Keeler squeezed in down the left although they were hugely disappointed when touch judge Harker's flag went up to deny them another score down the same wing.

A final score of 17-25 was fair reflection on a good game when even the wise old men in the Cross Green stand were suitably impressed to give both sides the thumbs up for a good afternoon's entertainment.

Ilkley return to the coalface this week when they visit Huddersfield YMCA this week for a crucial Powergen League One fixture.