Old Crossleyans 16

Ilkley 12

Ilkley's first ever league game at Old Crossleyans turned out to be a tense affair which the Dalesmen could easily have won had they held their discipline in the last 20 minutes.

Referee Mr Cairns who had made the long journey from Scotland to officiate penalised Ilkley remorselessly in the final quarter.

The final penalty count against Ilkley must have been almost double that against Crossleyans.

Not that it is an excuse, but it is clearly an unwelcome and largely unnecessary return of an aspect of their game coach Richard Midgley must concentrate on.

Early season indications were that excessive penalties against had been stemmed but this lapse cost the Dalesmen the match. Goalkicker Nick Hogan actually missed with another three eminently makeable efforts.

Ilkley had held on to a seven point lead from ten minutes after wingman Stuart Vincent had put them ahead with a fine run down the left leaving three Crossleyan tacklers in his wake. Leighton Parsons improved the score. Hogan reduced the margin on 35 minutes with his first penalty in front of goal. At half-time Ilkley looked just good enough for their 7-3 lead.

The half had been an intense struggle littered with mistakes from both sides. Crossleyans got themselves into good attacking positions but Ilkley's defence was solid and Crossleyans handling decidedly off colour.

Ilkley's scrummaging and line-out work was good, the scrum holding firm and most of the line-out ball secured. The backs, however, seemed to have an inbalance about their play. Phil Moffatt was caught on two occasions as he attempted to run out of defence, once conceding turnover ball and once a penalty as he held on to the ball. Simon Smith came off his wing to good effect but never got a clear run. He is certainly happier taking the opposition on with his in-field running.

Andy Hinchliffe was well wrapped up for much of the half though once or twice he threatened to break the defensive lines. Parsons and Tim Barley combined well enough with Barley's breaks off the set piece always looking to cause problems but never producing the scoring touch.

All Ilkley had to do was keep their cool and produce more of same in the second half.

Disappointing for the Ilkley supporters, they lost their discipline and composure in the last 20 just when a Smith try had seemed to put them back into the driving seat, 12-6.

The try was a classic. Ilkley had worked their way up field with a series of driving rucks, whipping the first out right then out left where Nick Bell, skipper for the day, found Smith with an inch of space. His cross-field run form the 22 saw him squeeze in for a try out wide.

Before that Hogan had reduced the deficit to a point after the Dalesmen had been penalised for crossing. They defended the penalty and subsequent line well and Crossleyans appeared to have knocked on but referee Mr Cairns had seen something and the three points were taken.

This was quickly followed by another shot at goal which was squirted wide to let Ilkley off the hook.

Then the guard was dropped and the wheels came off for the Dalesmen.

BJ Fowler was introduced for Dermott Foley and momentarily the Ilkley shape had gone. From yet another untidy clearance Crossleyans won a line on the right and the ball was worked out left where flanker Mark Thomas had somehow found himself with only Smith to beat. He took the direct route cutting inside and with no other defender in sight scored under the posts.

Hogan made no mistake with this one and Ilkley were a point down at 13 -12.There was every chance they could get back. On the law of averages the penalty count must have turned in the Dalesmen's favour, but it didn't. There was one more missed kick from Hogan and a further string of penalties which curtailed the Dalesmen's chances to hit back.

Mike Leeson came on for Fred Matthews who had fought out a hard up front battle and Oliver Mantle replaced Parsons. Still the penalties were conceded. Hogan concluded the scoring with another kick given away on the 22 and bang in front. That made it 16-12. Ilkley were still not out of it and showed their fighting spirit as they put the Crossleyans line under severe pressure in the last five with Ian Mackenzie nudging the ball forward as a scoring chance was opened up after a kick deep had forced Crossleyans to try a run out from under their posts.

Once again there was much good work done and the Dalesmen could have taken the points.

At least they are competing at this higher level and, with the reinjection of the early season discipline, they are capable of chalking up more victories than defeats. Three away games have been lost, two at home won.

This week at Stacks Field they entertain Selby, another side that Ilkley have not played since leagues began.

Selby racked up a good win on Saturday beating Goole 26-8. This is a big game for the Dalesmen. Team selection is critical and the pressure is mounting from a second XV which scored a half-century against previously unbeaten Old Crossleyans second string.