Ilkley 22

York 24

The Powergen Intermediate Cup final will be at Twickenham at the end of the season. To say that either of these two sides had a chance of being there would be a serious overstatement.

Ilkley and York enter the competition as relative minnows in the competition. The only real benefit therefore, apart from the satisfaction of a victory, is a share of the generous sponsorship of the competition by Powergen. As losers this round Ilkley draw just short of £500. York will get an extra £550 even if they lose the next round.

That kind of money does come in handy to true amateur clubs such as Ilkley and York.

In truth, Ilkley will be as well off concentrating on the league and the big task that lies ahead in that competition. One of those big tasks is this week's trip to Bridlington, a club new to the Yorkshire League having spent many years at much higher levels. Coach Richard Midgley will have to get his men into top gear for the trip to the East coast.

His side actually spent a decent proportion of this match in top gear but failed to take it by the scruff of the neck when they clearly had the upper hand. To be 12 points up after ten minutes and still lose the match is testament to the highs and lows of Ilkley's game.

After a shaky start when debutant Leighton Parsons, fresh from his exploits on the cricket field, was finding his rugby feet again Ilkley got off to a flyer. Parsons worked an opening for Phil Moffatt to come into the line. He cut inside a very flaky York defence to bag his first try of the season. Parsons'kick hit the crooked left hand upright to limit the score to 5-0.

Ilkley's usually solid scrum came under pressure at the first set piece. This was to be an augur of changing fortunes later in the game. York released the ball wide first through dangerous hard running centre Bass and then to wing Kama who showed a real turn of pace. Somehow Phil Moffatt and then Sean Gilbert managed to snuff out this attack to win a relieving penalty.

Ilkley went straight back upfield with some great driving by the pack. BJ Fowler won a line. Barley released well to Parsons who found Gilbert on the charge. He beat three to find Fowler in support. From the ruck the ball was popped up for Brendan Kelley to go in for try number two. Parsons improved it to put his side 12-0 in front only ten minutes into the game.

York showed their fighting qualities as they again got centre Bass running his dangerous straight lines. He set up a cross kick into Ilkley's 22. York took the line and spun the ball to Bass who burst through at least two tacklers to score. He improved his own try to reduce the deficit to five points.

Now York's tails were up and, as a further boost, a piece of Parsons' enterprise was cruelly rewarded with an interception by speedster Kama. He sped in under the posts for York's second try. Bass converted to put York in front 14-12.

York again attacked down the narrow side but were thwarted by brilliant anticipation by Kelley who intercepted and, not be outdone by Kama, sped off and under the posts for the second interception try of the match. Parsons' kick was good. Ilkley were back in the lead 19-14.

The remaining 15 minutes of the half saw some end-to-end rugby. When York attacked they were stopped by some superb tackling from Ilkley's backs, Phil Moffatt, in particular, pulling off a couple of try savers.

Parsons was beginning to grow in confidence and showing better understanding with his centres. If anything, the ball came back inside too often instead of exploiting the weakness out wide.

Both Parsons and Barley were held up just short but a forward pass and a penalty offence frustrated these attacks.

Half-time came with Ilkley ahead 19-14. The second period saw Duncan Setterington introduced for Allan Moffatt in Ilkley's pack.

Fifteen minutes of stalemate were broken as Gilbert found himself marooned on his 22 and forced to hold on too long. Bass made the penalty kick look easy twice as referee Mr Clayton ordered it re-taken. York were now just two points away from Ilkley.

Both sides had chances with the Dalesmen looking good in attack but, at the same time, coming under increasing pressure in defence. The York front five were beginning to wear the Ilkley scrum down and the unusual sight of Ilkley being pushed backwards was of real concern. Still they held on and created opportunities for Kelley out wide and the forwards in close. The forward picking and driving was, at times, awesome.

With ten minutes to go Parsons' silky skills were causing problems and York conceded two penalties in quick time. Parsons failed with the first but slotted the second to restore the five point advantage.

York's forward pressure really told in the final ten minutes. Just when the crowd felt Ilkley had done enough, York had a line on the Ilkley 22. Bass charged to set up scrum half Smith who forced his way over. Bass made no mistake with an easy kick and York had edged out a gallant Ilkley side.

Ilkley's second XV snatched a narrow league win over Wharfedale. Coach Midgley will be heartened to see a crop of young contenders in this side as Ilkley's strength in depth improves with the end of the cricket season.