OFFICIALS at Ilkley Rugby Union Club flew into a panic when a letter arrived which threatened to throw their centenary celebrations into chaos.

The club is 100 years old this season but when is a centenary not a centenary?

Skipton Rugby Club is celebrating its 125th anniversary this season and, as part of its programme of events, decided it would be an excellent idea to recreate its first ever game, played in 1874.

Club historians ploughed their way through a mass of records to find out who Skipton's first opponents had been. The answer, of course, was Ilkley. Or was it?

A letter was posted to Ilkley RUFC and caused one or two gasps when it was opened. How could Ilkley have played a match before the club actually existed? Had officials at Stacks Field got their sums totally wrong?

Ilkley RUFC chairman, Jack Tipping, said: "I think you could say the letter caused a great deal of

surprise when it arrived."

Mr Tipping said the club statisticians had immediately got down to work to try and solve this baffling mystery.

A relieved Mr Tipping added a great deal of hard work had hopefully solved the mystery, allowing Skipton to genuinely celebrate 125 years of rugby and Ilkley RUFC to get on and mark 100 years.

Mr Tipping said it was quite possible the Skipton side played a rugby side from Ilkley but not an Ilkley Rugby Union side.

The club chairman said: "There was a dinner in 1949 to mark the 50th anniversary but we understand there had also been a celebration dinner in 1930."

Ilkley officials believe the centenary is correct because it celebrates 100 years of rugby union.

In 1895 there was a bitter split in the game between those wanting to remain amateur (Rugby Union) and those wanting payment (Rugby League). Mr Tipping believes Ilkley RUFC was formed in 1899 but it was quite possible than an Ilkley rugby side (when a single code existed prior to the split) could have played Skipton back in 1874.

"We are quite pleased that we have got our sums right," chuckled Mr Tipping.

An Ilkley President's XV will play a Skipton President's XV on November 7.

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