Ilkley A maul Tigers

With the roads into Ilkley and the town centre gridlocked it looked as though it was going to be all one-way traffic as Ilkley took on Sheffield Tigers at Stacks Field on Saturday.

Because of the appalling traffic situation, Sheffield, who began the day second in the league table behind leaders Ilkley, arrived late and the kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes and it came as no surprise when the home side took an early lead with a fine individual try from flying South African winger Abiero.

The Ilkley lead was extended after good back play from Gilbert and Moffat set the classy Cadman clear to score unopposed wide out.

Further good linking between backs and forwards set Abiero clear again and he ran in his second try to extend Ilkley's lead to 19-0 shortly before the break.

Tigers finally managed to shake the bus journey from their bodies and began to obtain good positional play but stout defending from McColl, Chambers and Small, amongst others, kept the Ilkley line intact.

It came as no surprise when Ilkley extended their lead after Draper, Shanks and Hemmingway put hooker Nesbit clear - after going close twice previously - to score under the sticks. Rhodes added the points to go with his previous success and Ilkley were home and hosed with an unassailable half-time lead of 24 -0.

The second-half was very much a different kettle of fish with Sheffield, in no small part assisted by some eccentric decisions from the referee, having the majority of the territorial advantage but Ilkley's stout defence held firm to stop the visitors breaching their line.

This passage of play epitomised the way the Dalesman have played throughout the season.

At times their attacking, ball handling skills are a joy to behold, but they also have a willingness to work for each other in defence. Any try conceded seems to be seen as a personal affront to the team.

After soaking up all that the Sheffield side could throw at them Ilkley went down to the other end of the field to score the try of the match.

Good ball won by the forwards was given to Rhodes who dummied to Moffat on the cut back and winger Matthews hit the advantage line at pace to cross unopposed for a breathtaking try.

Rhodes added the extra points to put the icing on the cake and, despite Tigers still trying to obtain some consolation with enterprising play which should have resulted in a try out wide from a kick, the score at full time was 31-0.

Skipper Newberry must be immensely proud of his charges as they extended their lead at the top of the table. Another plus point was the debut of ex-Cambridge flanker Dann who was industrious throughout.

Tigers B 8 Ilkley B 19

A pitch they called the Eiger was the setting for the thirds trek to Sheffield. Ilkley, depleted in numbers due to last minute letdowns had to utilise forwards Tilley and Kershaw in the backs and they coped more than admirably.

The real Eiger has redeeming features which this pitch did not as the claggy mud ensured a game not given to freeflowing back moves.

Ilkley battled valliantly but were down 3-0 at half-time, mainly due to the wind and slope. This was seen as a bonus now, as Ilkley had the elements behind them, and were soon three tries up from Tilley, Ince and Richardson.

Jeffries and Mountcastle were frustrated on the wing but the whole team performed solidly to secure an accomplished away win.

Moortown U-15S Tournament

Ilkley U-15s visited Moortown to take part in a memorial match for one of their boys, and came away with the runners-up trophy following a skilled and physical display in the mud.

Outstanding in the forwards were Ruggiero, Gillon, Rhodes, Russell, Monks and Moon, whilst the back division including Whitehead, Becks, Holmes and Lindsay were dominating in attack and defence.

Ilkley beat Roundhegians in the first match 14-0 and demolished Pontefract 24-0 in the second.

The third match against Ripon proved a tough affair with a 5-5 draw, the referee barely able to control the very physical but fair encounter.

The final against the hosts Moortown proved Ilkley's undoing as the sides were more or less equal but Moortown wanted the win more, and came out one try the better, 5-0.

The whole squad were outstanding, and gave their all in a full days rugby in poor conditions.

Ilkley Under-15s meet Huddersfield at home this Sunday in what promises to be one of the more entertaining fixtures.