Salem 18 Ilkley 14

This was another close encounter which had nerves jangling until the final minute. It was certainly one that got away from the Dalesmen, mainly as a result of uncharacteristic handling errors resulting in an unusual amount of turned over ball.

In the end Salem deserved their victory based on the fact they had outstandingly the best player on the park on the day. Fly-half Matt Booth put in an almost faultless display of handling and particularly kicking.

His long kicks consistently put the visitors on the back foot as they tried to force play into Salem territory. His distribution of the ball was generally well thought through and well executed, though Ilkley defended well and had the better of the backs all afternoon.

Once again Ilkley started strongly and were given the first opportunity to put points on the board, Kelley's penalty kick going just wide.

A missed touch finder was brought back by Salem out right. A good second phase ball was produced for Booth to chip over the top to find Phil Merkin having to defend a bouncing ball. It was plucked from his grasp by sheer strength of winger Paul Gleadhill who then had a mere stroll over the line to touch down for a 7-0 lead, Booth improving the try.

From the kick-off Salem took play back to half way. They won a scrum, Dave Howcroft fed Booth and he made his one glaring mistake of the match, knocking on for debutant Dalesman scrum-half James Schayler to pick up the loose ball. He fed Simon Smith who found Nick Bell on his shoulder. Bell powered in for an equalising try, Kelley adding the two points.

Moments later the Ilkley crowd massed on the open terrace side, were celebrating as Mr Foulger's arm went up apparently to signal a try for Stuart Vincent who had scythed through a ruck of players. However, his arm was raised to give Salem a penalty, Vincent having been adjudged to have made a double movement.

Scrum-half Schayler then made a great break but another penalty was conceded this time for holding on. It did now look as though the Dalesmen were getting on top.

Salem however are a tough lot and they responded well, having line-outs and scrums repelled on Ilkley's line. Ilkley's front row held up well and it was Simon Davies, Salem's prop who suffered having to leave the field on 20 minutes.

The Fred Matthews, Jon Hutchinson, John Cooksey axis is serving the Dalesmen well in the absence of Tony Coughlan.

A fearsome half was fought out with Ilkley defending well and making their own opportunities to score. Every one of them was thwarted by an outbreak of knock-ons or turnover ball in critical positions. Salem missed a penalty shot after a scrum collapsed.

It was hard to fathom why that decision was given. Then from a line-out 30 metres out the ball was whipped out to Booth standing deep in Charlie Hodgson mode. A well-taken Hodgson-esque drop goal put the home side 10-7 in the lead at half-time.

They started nervously but Charlie Cudworth, to the fore throughout as ever, robbed the ball on Ilkley's 22. They cleared well and won the Salem throw in. Yet another knock-on put the pressure back on. A penalty on the 22 in front of goal was the outcome. Booth put his side 13-7 up. Ilkley's spirits dropped and Salem's rose.

Another knock-on and then another, and the Dalesmen were now under heavy pressure on their own line.

Referee Mr Foulger penalised them for pulling down a drive from a line-out close in. Scrums and line-outs followed but the seemingly inevitable score finally came as the Salem pack drove over.

A few more storms were weathered and gradually the Dalesmen's confidence returned. Their defence was good but now they needed to turn on the attacking flare that had seen them through at Selby. The final ten minutes saw them pressing hard with openings coming all the time but still those niggling handling errors had touchline heads in hands as opportunities went begging.

They were pressing hard when Mark Hibbs received an unneccessary boot to the head, unseen by Mr Foulger. The resulting penalty was given for off-side. Three points were no good at this late stage. Eventually a Salem scrum two metres out from their line was disrupted well. Scrum-half Schayler topped off an encouraging debut by picking up and darting over for a try which Kelley improved to make the score on the final whistle 18-14.

Those league points are precious. It is a shame that a strong performance was not better rewarded. The Dalesmen are not out of the woods yet. With five games still to play, two at home and three away, they can still be caught on the line by both bottom clubs Goole and Huddersfied YMCA.

This week sees a break from league rugby with the visit of friends from up the valley, National League Two Wharfedale's second fifteen.

Then the following week it's back to league action with a trip to Goole who will no doubt be battling for their Yorkshire one lives.