Ilkley 22

Wheatley Hills 3

This victory could well turn out to be a seminal moment in Ilkley's season. With one defeat last week another would have severely dented confidence.

Instead Ilkley dominated the game and could have won by a lot more had a few scoring passes stuck. Notwithstanding 22-3 is a substantial victory over a side that had beaten Goole the previous week.

The victory was representative of the new mood abounding in the club; full of confidence, liberally scattered with some quite excellent play, and with a substantial amount of improved discipline. Credit here must go to coach Richard Midgely.

Referee Brian Mulligan, one of the county's top whistleblowers, was quick to stamp his authority on the game and both sides soon understood what was permissible. Ilkley now play their game without the desperation that saw so many penalties conceded last term. The relatively low penalty count of 13 a-piece was testament to his authority.

Still it was a penalty for holding on which saw Hills take an early 3-0 lead, through the boot of Hardcastle, after a bright start by the Dalesmen. The big crowd's apprehension was momentary as Justin Hewitt struck back just 60 seconds later. Ilkley then never looked back.

Hewitt probed the Hills defence with some neat kicks. Tim Barley was confident in running at the opposition. The forwards drove on well often putting up to five or six phases together. Ilkley came close as BJ Fowler drove off the back of a five-metre scrum only to lose the ball in the final tackle. Then they declined three points by opting for a short penalty, a try only denied by a rare knock-on by Simon Smith.

Successive penalties out wide saw Ilkley driving on to win another penalty shot. This time Hewitt was given the chance but his kick drifted just wide. Ilkley again showed some lovely touches but Hills kept them at bay. A couple of balls were lost in the tackle and a penalty conceded for crossing.

Suddenly Ilkley showed signs of nerves. Another ball was lost, John Hinchliffe was isolated midfield but held on well but the ball was gifted back to Hills. A Phil Moffatt kick into the Ilkley 22 was cleared to half way but failed to find touch. From under the grandstand Hills' winger Morgan switched play and launched an attack down the left.

Somehow the Ilkley defence got there and the ball was scrambled clear. Fowler then won a crucial Hills line. Two clearances later and the threat was repulsed. That was Hills' last real chance of the half.

The Dalesmen, now reinvigorated after their defensive action took the game to Hills.

Smith almost put Brendan Kelley away but the ball was bundled into touch. Big Dermott Foley took the line. Ilkley drove and released the ball across the line. Nick Bell broke inside his defender and fed the onrushing Phil Moffatt who found John Hinchliffe waiting to run in for his first try for his new club. Hewitt just failed with the conversion but Ilkley had a precious 8-3 lead.

Ilkley were not really troubled in the final ten minutes of the half although poor Hills handling contributed to Ilkley's dominance.

The second-half saw Sean Gilbert coming on for Phil Moffatt. The Dalesmen's control of the game continued. Barley and Gilbert made good forays. A line was secured two metres out but a penalty conceded as a score seemed inevitable.

Hewitt missed with another penalty after twelve minutes. Bell and Kelley both had passes go to ground. Hewitt was wide with another penalty in front of goal after Fowler had made a good break. Hills were kept out by good tackling and more of their own inept passing.

Then it was Ilkley again on the charge through that driving pack. Four phases this time, before Barley was high tackled. A kick to touch and the lineout again well won saw Ilkley drive on to two metres out.

Another penalty and another lineout secured forced a scrum on the line. Hills were now showing signs of indiscipline under pressure as lock Penno was sin-binned. The penalty was sent blind to Hinchliffe.

He was held up and the ball recycled left but, with the referee indicating a free ball, Mike Leeson picked up a dived over for a well-deserved try. Hewitt slotted the kick to give his side a 15-3 cushion. Ilkley had ten minutes to hold on for that first league victory. They did more than that. Smith hacked through almost to snatch another try.

Hills conceded another penalty and Ilkley were again driving towards the Hills' line. Great possession saw Tony Greig stamp his mark with a try from close in to secure the points. Hewitt again converted to give the Dalesmen a 22-3 victory.

This was a win founded on control. Midgely's men controlled the scrum, often pushing Hills off the ball or winning possession as scrum after scrum was turned through 90 degrees. They dominated the line-outs with Foley, Allan Moffatt and the lithe BJ Fowler securing most of Ilkley's lines and moreover, taking a good smattering of Hills'. The back row was always in charge, Tony Greig in particular showing all his class and experience. Great credit goes to the whole pack for their commitment.

l Ilkley entertain York in a Powergen knock-out Cup game on Saturday, kick-off 3 pm.