Pocklington 29

Ilkley 34

Yet another perfect autumn afternoon greeted Ilkley at old rivals Pocklington, relegated last season from Yorkshire Division One.

Stalwart Chris Pring was called up for his seasonal debut at scrum- half, otherwise coach John Atkinson had opted for the same line up that had pulled off last week's win at home to Beverley.

Ilkley were off to a flying start after only two minutes when Matt Newberry took the first of many great line-out balls to set Stuart Nesbit up for a try.

The Newberry set up was to provide Nesbit with two of his three tries in the first-half. How Ilkley missed his presence in the second period after his rock hard hamstring had forced retirement at half-time.

Pocklington got a chance to recover with a penalty for off-side right in front of the posts. The penalty count against Ilkley was to prove critical in the later stages and once again this season it is an area that needs urgent attention. Too many games are going to be too tight to allow points to be sacrificed unnecessarily.

Ilkley then picked the game up again. This time Ian Moffatt created space on the left; the ball was spilled but only as far as Kelley's boot. His hack through bounced up kindly for the ever attentive Moffatt to pounce and run through unopposed for a try under the posts. Nick Bell, deputising at stand-off, converted this one to give Ilkley a nine point platform.

An Ilkley scrum then set up a great move through the hands of Pring, Andy Hinchliffe, No8 Ben MacDonald, Joe Widdup, Andy Pell and eventually back to Pring who galloped in to score Ilkley's third. The conversion this time missed but Ilkley had daylight between them and the East Yorkshiremen at 3-17.

Immediately Ilkley were presented with another try, this time a Pocklington man hovering in an off-side position actually called for the ball which was delivered to him. He received a yellow card for gamesmanship. Ilkley received a penalty which they put into touch to set up the Newberry-Nesbit combination for a try in the corner.

The game should have been out of sight for the black and reds. But the game is never over with this enigmatic side. A ball was hacked through to Ilkley's 22 and set the home side up for a try. Ilkley defended their lines bravely for fully four set piece phases but eventually capitulated when Kevin Bowling beat the last line of three defenders to score. This was improved to put Pocklington 10- 22 behind.

For a moment it looked as though new life had been breathed into Pock and while Ben MacDonald was off the field receiving treatment to his jaw Ilkley were called on to scramble clear under fierce pressure.

Ilkley were again rewarded with a penalty close in and this time Pring opted for a quick one, fed the rampant Nesbit who barged in for his third score of the afternoon to give Ilkley a 19 point lead at half-time.

For the Ilkley supporters to believe that this was going to be close match and nail-biting finish was fantasy. The black and reds had proved so superior that the only outcome envisaged was more of the same.

The influence of Charlie Cudworth on this game was immeasurable. His presence in attack and defence is immense. He adds an extra dimension to the Ilkley back row and indeed the whole team.

It was Cudworth who set MacDonald up to feed Sean Gilbert, looking sharp this season, for his try after only five minutes of the second period. MacDonald had set it all up with a steal.

At 10-34 the Pocklington faithful had lost hope and the expectant Ilkley supporters were looking for 50 points or more.

Then Pocklington coach Clappison, father of Otley's Dan, pulled off a masterstroke, substituting stand-off Bowling with a nippy young scrum-half who went on the wing. The old experienced Taylor was pulled up from full back to fly-half.

Just as Ilkley looked to be going for broke, catastrophe! Another MacDonald steal put Widdup clear. The ball was secured and sent out down the line. A miss move pass floated out towards Phil Merkin, but, as from nowhere, the Pocklington centre steamed through to intercept and sprint 30 metres to score making it 17-34.

A try would have settled it but the big boot of Taylor then completely changed the game. The Ilkley left defence was put under pressure from kicks into space.

Ilkley's composure deserted them. Pocklington's centre scored and with Ilkley in panic mode he pounced again and with a cheeky wave set off again to cover 40 metres to score. The conversion successful, Ilkley had to face ten minutes with a five point lead.

Leeson was only on four minutes before being shown the red card for raking. Ilkley held out and look forward to Saturday's encounter with Keighley with relish.