OLD CROSSLEYANS 21

Ilkley 20

WITH the last kick of the match a drop goal attempt by Duncan Ogilvy missed by inches and for a second successive week Ilkley lost by a single point - this time in the NPI Cup.

However, Ilkley have good reason to be proud of this effort for against opponents three leagues above them they were a match in every phase. It took almost all of the first-half for either side to show their real talents - the whistle was heard all too frequently to the frustration of players and spectators alike and Ilkley;s Justin Hewitt and Richard Jowett from the home side exchanged frequent attempts at penalty goals.

Ilkley dominated the early lines with BJ Fowler and Nick Brook punishing the Crossleyans jumpers and Joe Widdup made a formidable return to the starting line up.

His contribution throughout was immense. He frequently got in crunching tackles and was always on the shoulder to maintain Ilkley's attacks.

The best chance of the half fell to an interception by skipper Jimmy Carr and he put Nick Bell away on a 40 metre run. Crossleyans were relieved to smother tjhe ball just short of the line. With the Ilkley defence stretched a surging counter attack saw Philip Merkin make a try saving cover tackle.

The half-time score of 9-6, all penalties, reflected the few clear chances created by either side.' The visitirs started the second-half with the wind at their backs and almost levelled when an audacious drop goal attempt by Ogilvy from 45 metres struck the cross bar and rebounded to safety.

Against the run of pay Crossleyans increased their lead when a dreadful mix-up in the Ilkley defence gave the North East One side a chance to drive over from the resulting line-out and hooker Jeremy Scott gleefully made the touchdown.

Undeterred Ilkley fought back with Bell making some opunching drives into thenheart iof thre Crossleyan degfebce. It seemed that ilkley must score as they threw thje ball wide but sometimes the passing lacked crispness and this was their undoing as Justin Smith made a dramatic interception and ran 50 metres before touching down.

Jowett converted and Ilkley trailed 21-6.

Ilkley were ruing their inability to apply the finishing touch from the generous possession they obtained but even so they clawed their way back into the game when from a short penalty Brook evaded two tackles before offloading to Carr who scuttled over and Hewitt converted.

As time ran out Ilkley were on the rampage and only desperate defence kept them out. Carr crashed over for his second try and again Hewitt converted to put Ilkley within one point.

Ogilivy then made his last desperate attempt at glory with a drop goal attempt but it missed by inches.

Even Crossleyans diehards confessed that their side was lucky to get away with it.

Ilkley are a more cohesive outfit than last year and on Saturday theytravel to Thornensians confident but not complacent of gaining their first league win of the season.

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