Another half time lead slips away as mistakes again prove costly

Aspatria, pop 2500, sits about as far North West as you can get in England yet they compete in league North two East. It is a small farming community with a vibrant rugby club which has competed at higher levels in the past. Indeed a photograph of a cup match against the mighty Wasps hangs proudly on the wall and their most famous son ex-England winger Steve Hanley advertises his testimonial year in the match programme.

A warm welcome and a wet pitch that had been subject to an inspection following heavy rain on Friday greeted the somewhat changed Ilkley side. Into the starting line up came Fred Matthews, Andrew Rhodes, Ian Moffatt, Simon Smith and Ilkley’s Young England squad member Richard Rhodes.

Aspatria had won two out four, including a comprehensive defeat of Carlisle. Ilkley had one draw to their name so far. A win here would have been a real bonus for the Dalesmen and, up till the last half hour of the game it looked a real possibility. Once again they squandered a half time lead, yes only 6 – 3 but nonetheless it was lead that had been ground out with good solid hard work and was thoroughly justified. They have lead at half time in four out the five league games so far this season.

Aspatria started strongly putting the visitors’ line under pressure but sound defence and sheer grit held them out until they were caught offside and conceded a penalty and 3 points to the boot of the highly competent and experienced number ten, Mike Scott.

Peter Shanks cancelled this out straight away as Aspatria were penalised for holding on.

The first quarter was pretty much cat and mouse with Aspatria looking the more likely out wide but had no answer to Ilkley’s stubborn defence and their tremendous rucking. Time and time again they were turned over or rucked off the ball or forced to hold on. They were kept at bay and, all the time, Ilkley’s confidence grew with the forwards putting in a truly magnificent effort.

Difficult kicks at goal were missed by both kickers.

On 28 minutes Ilkley began to put together some really threatening rugby and took the game to the home side, again through solid forward play. After several phases the ball came wide. Referee Mr Denver signalled advantage as Aspatria, who could have felt 3 points was a let off, strayed offside and Shanks had an easy kick from in front of goal. 6 – 3.

The final 10 minutes were altogether more enterprising by both sides, Aspatria moving the ball out wide but failing under the strong defence and magnificent rucking and mauling, Ilkley driving the ball up field with sharpness and ferocity.

Half time came. The wind which would now have been in Ilkley’s favour dropped as the weak autumnal sun came through the hazy clouds. Coach Hamish Pratt needed to ask for more of the same, to cut out the error count, make the tackles and to ensure all kicks made touch or at least their intended target.

For 12 minutes they did all of that. Then they were turned over in attack and, from pressing to increase their lead, they were suddenly on the back foot with a lineout to defend on their own 22.

Aspatria number eight Gary Hodgson, probably the pick of the players on the park, stood out of the line as the extra back. The ball was spun wide and Hodgson went through a hole in Ilkley’s midfield defence the size of the M6 motorway up which they had travelled. His try under the posts put the Cumbrians 10 – 6 ahead.

This was a setback but not terminal, certainly with the way the Dalesmen had acquitted themselves so far. However the concession seemed to sap the confidence from the side.

A further try from speedy winger Lee Tinnion followed quickly after. A loose kick followed by horrible defending contributed to that.

The Aspatria lead was now 17– 6. To recover two scores against a solid outfit like these Cumbrian hard men was an uphill task and it showed in the Dalesmen’s body language.

Shanks pulled it back to 17 – 9 with a superb penalty from half way, but still two scores were required.

Reiner Botha, John Cooksey and Andy Matthews were sent on to instil some new vigour to the now rearguard effort.

An Aspatria lineout 5 metres out was defended as was the next attacking wave but, after Ilkley had knocked on in defence, the Apsatria scrum produced probably the best move of the match with Tinnion touching down in the corner. To rub salt into the wound Scott added the two points from the touchline kick. 24 – 9.

Shanks again added a penalty with another good kick from the 10 metre line but the knife was finally driven in the to the soft underbelly as another loose kick was punished. Aspatria swept back down the filed to put Hodgson in for his second try. Scott was again on target to make it 31 – 12. 

In the final 10 minutes the Dalesmen found their first half form and pressed for what could now only be a consolation try. Aspatria centre Askew was yellow carded for persistent offside. The penalty was into the corner, the lineout driven and the home side’s line put under siege. A scrum 5 metres allowed Stuart Brewer to pick up and bullock over for a try to make the final tally 31 – 17.

Brewer’s try was scant reward to a pack that had done everything it was asked to do. The whole unit deserves fulsome praise for their effort. The failings will have been noted by the frustrated coach who must demand more concentration and attention to basics from this Ilkley side which stills looks capable of achieving much better than its meagre one point haul from five league games. The learning process of how to contend in this elevated company continues.

This week the league programme is curtailed in favour the national EDF trophy. Ilkley have a home tie against Sandal. Kick-off is at 3 p.m.

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