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Ended the season on a bit of a high. I thought it could of gone better, but on the whole I think we did a good job. Everything was hard fought, and you let them know they were going to have to work hard to win. We lost against Skipton 1-0. Won against Wharfedale 2-1 and Won against Keighley 3-2. When you take into account the other group, this gave us an overall position of 3rd.

Thomas Newton I thought had a very good game, as did Callum Mellars who improves every time he takes the field. As ever, good solid showings from Jack Snell, Kristan Dobson, William Tench, Sam Crocombe an Mikey Atkinson.

I would like to thank everyone for turning out week after week this year as the weather has been C_ _ _ _ and very cold. Hopefully next year wont be too bad. Can't be any worse.

Next week is presentation and play time. I have sent Tom G an email to find out if there is anything else going on apart from Drinking , eating and of course the PRESENTATION. If you don't hear anything from me, turn up at 11 am with trainers and leave the competitive spirit at home. This is for the boys to have fun, not for the bigger girls and boys to show them how it is done (or not ).

It has also been suggested that we should get together during the summer from time to time for a game of rounders, football etc. This I think is a very good idea. Keeps the bonds between the boys. We can have suggestions what to do. We can have a chat next week.

We had some wonderful play today from both teams, moving the ball around from side to side using the full width of the pitch. Ruck and mauls were a little hesitant at times from Ilkley, but they never gave up, winning the ball for their efforts. Backs I thought were starting to look as to were there team mates were (not all the time), but when they did, it made the difference as to how far they progressed down the pitch.

Off to a quick start with the first try coming from Kristan Dobson, the second from Alex Bullock. Then Chester joined in the game and it was hard fought from then on. Special mention to Thomas Newton,Thomas Burton, Sam Crocombe who all had a very good game.

Overall I thought it was very good. We defended very well, but gave the ball away too often which made the difference in the score - 5 try's to Chester and 2 to Ilkley.

I think you will all agree that it was a lot better today.We had more movement of the ball, better and quicker delivery from the rucks and mauls. Using the width of the pitch was better in that they made progress down the pitch towards the try line. Some took a few hits today, I hope everyone is ok,(Kristan has a nice red cheek, how's William's eye?), a few scrapes on the legs and knees. Its ok, you all have Mums to pamper you a little, not to much though because you are all tough boys. Some outstanding play today from Callum, Thomas N, Mikey and Robbie. Edward passing a lot better.

William Tench,Good tackling, showed a big heart today, was hurt a couple of times, shrugged it off and kept going, well done.

Joseph Surry, Nice to see him enjoying himself. Made some very good tackles at srum half. Sacked the opposite srum half a couple of times, on the ball passed well.

Next week we are playing at home against Chester, they are on tour and calling at Ilkley to try their luck. It's up to us as to how much luck we give them.

The week after it's the tournament at Malsis. This is the last game of the season apart from the fun morning and presentation on the 4th May.

Today we played Wharfedale. We played 3 halves of 10 mins and took the overall score. This was 6 to Ilkley and 5 to Wharfedale, very close. Both teams moved the ball around, but I think both teams were weighed down with the thought of going back to School.

Next week training. I hope to see some players on a more regular basis instead of 1 out of 3 or 4 weeks. It is spoiling it for the players who are turning up every week.

We were in a very tough group with the Home team of Sedbergh to play. We all thought Sedbergh were the team to beat, and after watching them play I agreed. All the games were closely fought, but we managed to do very well, beating Bradford & Bingley by 3, Sedbergh by 1, Fylde by 2, Skipton by 2 , Kirby Lonsdale by 2 and Moortown who we drew with.

We played all these matches without conceding a single try, the defense was that good.

Alex Bullock, new to the game, but coming on leaps and bounds, scored 2 try's and tackled well, his Dad was so proud. Mickey Atkinson tackled well and scored a very important try right by the corner flag, he worked very hard. Jack Snell tackled very well, we didn't have to remind him to breath until the last game! Aidan Conlon, first game out tacking not too hot, had a little chat and I don't think he missed one in the next match. Jack Sayer - all round good job. Samuel Linfield, had some crunching tackles, sometimes a little high, but it lets them know you are in the game. Sam Crocombe and Robbie Potts, are 2 star forwards, wherever the ball was, they were there to cover it. They worked very hard throughout. Kristan Dobson – awesome. He played well from start to finish, taking on anyone who got in his way. William Tench played well. He made a lot of ground to make a game saving tackle against Sedbergh. I found it hard to contain myself!

Thomas Newton played very well, always on the alert to see if there was a chance to steal the ball and sack his opposite number.

We played Vale of Lune in the final. Tough game, the boys were all very big( I would like to have seen the age of some of them ). We defended very well again, but didn't make the breaks to get into their half of the pitch often enough. Twice we were within yards of scoring , and both times were thwarted .

In the end , there was only 1 try scored, and it went to Vale of Lune, who were, on the day, too powerful for us. We will live to fight another day.

I, ON BEHALF OF ALL THE PARENTS AND THE COACHES, WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THE BOYS FOR MAKING THIS DAY A DAY TO REMEMBER. IT MAKES US VERY PROUD OF EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU. A VERY WELL DONE.

It may be late, the email going out this week as Bingley aren't sure if they have a team. I will let you know.

It was a pleasure to see the whole team working together. Bingley started with the ball and came at us with determination and speed.The Ilkley defense was solid and held the the Bee's .It wasn't long before Ilkley ripped the ball and passed it down to the backs who scored.

Ilkley didn't start with the ball that much in the course of the game as most of the decisions went to the Bee's (good alls from the Ref).

This meant that Ilkley had to work hard to gain possession of the ball, which they did, with some very good play from the Forwards. A good effort by all.

Today we played West Park Leeds. We played 4 games wining only 1 game 4-2. The other games were 2-6,0-6 and 2-5 all going to West Park Leeds. All the backs had a hard time, having to go and help the forwards as the West Park forwards were just to strong.

The Backs today I thought were fantastic, the tackling was brilliant and hard. They found themselves out of position from time to time, having to help the forwards, but this they did with determination and a lot of effort. The forwards were hanging back a little which the West Park Leeds boys took full advantage of, gaining possession nearly every time.

Wharfedale away.

Another good day. Boy's were on top form. We split the boy's into 2
teams of equal strength. One team winning by 7-0, and the second
team winning 4-0. This is outstanding against Wharfedale who always
put out a strong team .
The ball was coming out of the Rucking and Mauling to feed the
backs,this was giving width to the game which was all to much for
Wharfedale.
With the speed of William Tench, Mickey Atkinson and Samuel
Linfield in the backs there was no stopping them. Determination was
shown by the forwards to get the ball.It was good to have Aidan
Conlon back in the team after injury, adding his power to the forwards.
Men of the Match :
Jack Snell.
Joe Kehoe.
A good all round performance, well done to everyone.

Yorkshire Cup at Wharfedale.
Our group: Huddesfield YMCA : Wharfedale : Otley : Keighley .
In this group we scored 17 try's and conceded 1. This tells you that
the play was fantastic . The support they gave to each other was
second to none. The men of the match was : Mikey Atkinson , Kristan
Dobson ,William Tench , Thomas Newton , Samuel Linfield , Jack
Snell , Jack Sayer , Joe Kehoe , Jonathan Robertshaw and Sam
Crocombe . All deserved the Trophy .
We Played the Winners of Group 2 Which was Skipton.
This was a very hard game,with only 1 try scored, going to Skipton.
Well done to all concerned . Proud of everyone.

Really well done today.
Proud of everyone.
Man of the match.
Callum for such determination.
Special mention to,
Robbie, Mikey, Kristan, Sam and Jonathan.