Harrogate B – 16

Ilkley B         - 23         

Ilkley third XV travelled to Harrogate looking for their first result for a number of years away at the County Ground. The team travelled with twenty two players and with strength in depth which seems to be growing by the week. This diverse team of both the young and the more experienced is brimming with confidence after a series of positive results post Christmas. Harrogate on the other hand immersed with ex first teamers, offered Ilkley’s balanced squad the competition needed to push and develop this increasing talent further.

Harrogate took the lead after five minutes after a dominant pack found the experienced Harrogate fly half deep within their own half who then hammered the ball deep into Ilkley’s 22 giving the home team valuable territory. This pressure was turned into points as Harrogate’s fly-half kicked a penalty as a result of ill discipline at the break-down. The lead was then doubled a few minutes later when from an almost identical infringement the same player stroked a second penalty from close quarters.

Despite the score line being 6-0 within ten minutes this was early days. Ilkley now have an extremely mobile squad with pace from one to fifteen and this showed as Ilkley started to attack. This potency was awarded on twenty minutes when a series of flowing surges and offloads from Ilkley’s back-row laid the foundation. Ilkley’s Scrum Half Angus Hartley then delivered quick ball to Ilkley’s 10, Richard Whitehead who drew two defenders before delivering the ball to his inside centre who in-turn switched play back to Whitehead who scored under the posts, Hartley converted.

However it wasn’t long before Harrogate’s experienced and powerful pack took the initiative. This was old fashioned forwards dominated rugby which had Ilkley on the back foot. After a period of domination Harrogate’s outside half opted to attempt a drop goal which he hit sweetly before watching it sail through the posts. The second half ended with Harrogate leading 9-7.

Ilkley started the second half well and again their speed at the break-down area gave Harrogate no option but to react illegally. A penalty 25 metres out was hit sublimely by Angus Hartley and a second followed by the same player five minutes later. Ilkley were now leading 9-13 as they looked to turn the screw by utilising their more talented back division out wide.

The first try of the half came as Ilkley dominated play upfront and sent the ball wide. After a number of phases and some lovely hands from Ilkley’s backline a pass was eventually taken by Whitehead who danced down the right-hand side evading both the touch line and a handful of Harrogate backs to score a magnificent second try. Ilkley’s third came soon after the second when deep inside Harrogate’s half Ilkley’s explosive second rower Matt Dakin started a move which he finished himself this time wide on the left, Ilkley looked rampant.

However with sixteen unanswered points and the score at 9-23 and fifteen minutes to go, Harrogate with their dominance and experience upfront doggedly started to dominate possession. Arguably the moment of the match came after a fine defensive period by Ilkley’s smaller squad saw Harrogate’s six foot-two, eighteen stone prop charge for the line only to be held up by Ilkley’s debutant winger I.Conner who is probably ten stone dripping wet. The courage and strength from the youngster was ironically reflective of the game as he used his body to stop the ball from being grounded as he lay under this colossus player. As the clock ticked away Harrogate turned over an Ilkley scrum from five metres driving Ilkley’s pack backwards before touching down for a converted try which was swiftly followed by the final whistle. The score line ended 16-23.

As captain Marcus Mountcastle proclaimed in his post match team talk, this squad is slowly becoming the best third team he has been involved with. With competition in every position the future looks bright for third team rugby. Man of the match was awarded to Mike Sutcliffe who had a great game at hooker.

Ilkley 3rds –                 41

Knaresborough -          14

This week saw Ilkley thirds take on a committed and brave Knaresborough second team at home. Exchanges in the first quarter suggested that the game was going to be closely contested but with a much more dynamic pack it didn’t take long for Ilkley to get the upper hand. After 15 minutes after a period of impressive orchestration between forwards and backs, Ilkley’s dominance at the breakdown was awarded by a penalty in Knaresborough’s 22. Ilkley’s Scrum Half A.Hartley seized the innitiative taking a quick tap and shipping the ball wide putting MacGregor in to score in the corner. Ilkley’s Second try came quickley after a lovely catch and drive ten metres out resulted in a ruthless push for the line which saw N.Keighley jubilant over the whitewash under a pile of forwards. The third try came after a period of sustained interchange between forwards and backs with quickball from rucks and mauls stretching Knaresborough’s defence. The pressure ended with Jarvis hitting a beautiful line from his scrum half at the base of a ruck scoring another try out wide. Ilkley were now in charge with M.Mountcastle doing a great job at Flyhalf, Cooper at 12 pulling the strings in the mid-field and C. Macgregor at Fullback hitting the line at pace. Before the halftime whistle further domination upfront saw another try from Keighley which Cooper converting. The second half saw a beautiful solo try from G.Moore after some quick hands. From thirty meteres out he burst through the line leaving the knaresborough fullback with nothing but a muddied jersey. The next try was another for the forwards as a series of delicate offloads between Daykin, Hemms and Jarvis saw Holsworth touchdown after a phase of continuous play which must have put Knaresborough forty metres on the backfoot, Cooper converted. However knaresborough with conviction despite being well behind hit back with two consolation tries of their own both of which were converted. But this was Ilkley’s day and they put the icing on the cake when from the base of a scrum quick ball and some stunning hands through the midfield saw Cooper score the try of the game, again he converted which capped off a marvelous man of the match display. With an ideal blend of youth and experience coupled with pace and dynamism all over the field, this was certainly Ilkley third team’s performance of the season.

Ilkley 3^rd 29  Otley 5

After weeks of disappointment Ilkley finally found form with an impressive win over local rivals Otley.  Although suffering successive defeats Ilkley had seen a gradual improvement and with the addition of some young speedsters Ilkley’s back line was no longer going to be the team’s weak point.

Ilkley were quick to assert themselves with their pack thumping up the center field providing quick ball for skipper Marcus Mountcastle to dive over for the score.

Renewed confidence saw Ilkley with a real hunger surge back up the pitch only to lose the ball to give Otley the scrum in front of their posts however Ilkley weren’t to let the chance go.  Taking the ball against the head the Ilkley forwards let the backs take the glory in style demonstrating perfect timing through Whitehead and new comer Cooper giving Cooper the first of his two senior rugby scores.

Further trys came from D Wilson and the might of D Richardson with J Holmes adding the conversions.  Otley as ever put up a good fight and continued to test Ilkley in all areas but Ilkley with young hopefuls like M Dakin who played his lines well and not content to be labeled a work horse continually popped up in the back line making the difference and earning himself man of the match.  In all this was a great team performance which bodes well for remains of the season.

..and on the same subject........

Meantime Ilkley’s 3^rd fifteen travelled down the valley to Otley including Nigel Keighley and Bernie Connor in their back row. Enjoying a rebirth, with a combined age of one year short of a century, they guided and a team which was a perfect blend of youngsters learning the mens’ game and a few more experienced campaigners to grind out a convincing 29 – 5 victory. The game was officiated by a top referee who had been booked for the Saracens’ game with Beverley. Beverley had cried off late and no one had told the official. The players benefitted from some fine officiating and were extremely grateful to him for his troubles. Skipper Marcus Mountcastle commented that it was remarkable how excellence in refereeing can alter the perspective of the game.