22nd November 2008
Good second fifteen game provides relief from England’s woes
A last minute phone call to friends up the valley secured a fixture for Ilkley’s second fifteen against Wharfedale’s Development fifteen. After Moortown and Huddersfield had agreed to play then called off Wharfedale and their young stars of the future plus one or two of their senior squad rose to the challenge.
It was a challenge too, with a number of Ilkley first fifteen squad players having a well-needed run out to complement the strong second team squad. The slightly less charged atmosphere of a match like this one allowed players to express themselves as a result the Dalesmen produced a splendid performance laced with running rugby, slick passing and powerful forwards play. All this team either have played for the senior side this season or, certainly on this showing at least, would be able to step up the mark if necessary.
First half tires were provided by Richard Greenfield (2), the rejuvenated tiger Ian Moffatt and Brendan Kelley, playing in his new role in the back row. Young Greenfield is a prodigious talent and, with his scintillating display the week before at Otley where Saracens just beat the Ilkley Second 18 -15 in a league match, under his belt, he will surely be challenging for higher honours as the season and his experience progresses.
All credit to the Junior section for producing players of this calibre.
Ilkley were 22 - 0 up at the break, but the young Green Machine tyros never gave up. They were simply bossed by a bigger stronger pack and the experience of half backs Adam Faulkner and Tim Barley.
Andy Matthews, Faulkner and Rhodri Jones added second half tries to make the final score 39 – 0, Faulkner doing the business with goal kicking duties.
As it turned out this was rather more entertaining fayre than that offered up on the TV screen as England were routed 42 – 6 at Twickenham by South Africa. Those that braved the piercing cold were better rewarded outdoors!
Meantime Ilkley’s 3rd 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.
The league programme for the Dalesmens’ first fifteen resumes next week with another long trip up the M6, this time to Penrith. Tired bones and joints will have had chance to recuperate and a tough match is in prospect, but with last weeks’ improved performance against Old Crossleyans a rising surge of confidence is evident in the camp.
The RFU, in their divine wisdom, have now announced how the league structure will be revised for the 2009-10 season. There will be a second tier fully professional league of 12 clubs below the Guinness Premiership and all other leagues below that will revert/change to 14 clubs per league with a play-off format at the season to replace the National knock-out competitions. How will that affect Ilkley who are playing at level 6 in the league structure?
The current statement reads:
“Level 6: Divisional Two (currently eight divisions of 12 clubs)
Eight champions and four play-off winners promoted, no teams relegated, two teams down from level 5, 26 teams up from level 7 depending on 14 or 12 team leagues in new structure.”
But as Dave Duxbury warns, “beware – the plan is not set in stone and discussions continue. There are still all sorts of permutations that could emerge, so it is vital we concentrate on winning every match we contest and we’ll see what really happens nearer the end of the season.”
Ilkley Ladies played their second match of the season against Hull & York Medical Students. The cold conditions did not deter some spirited rugby and Ilkley put in a fantastic performance to win well. The cold conditions did now deter a good crowd who must have singularly impressed with the commitment and endeavour shown by both sides. Some of the tackling was awesome and the athleticism out wide in the backs very impressive. One of the try scorers Rachel Muir will play for Yorkshire Ladies at Heath on Friday of this week.
Ilkley’s young England star Richard Rhodes was inaction for his country on Saturday. He played in the England Academy Under 18’s match against France in Paris. Whilst the young England stars made a better fist of things than their senior counterparts they came off losing by a single point 22 – 21. Richard declared himself happy with his game in which he played the full 80 minutes and was impressed by the huge crowd, the singing of the national anthems and being asked for his autograph. The game was played at Stade Francais. The next England under 18’s game is scheduled for 17th December at West Park Leeds RFC.
20th September 2008
The Dalesmen’s second fifteen, a fine mixture of experience and exuberant youth, took on the Driffield second string on the back pitch at Stacks Field. A welcome return to action for Terence Sibanda on one wing with the steadily returning to match fitness of Dan Nulty on the other produced three tries for the wingmen in a 46 – 10 demolition of a side that had held a narrow lead up to half time.
Ollie Coughlan turned in a sound performance at scrum half in the first period and fly half in the second.
Lots of good performances here for coach Pratt to note when looking forward this season.
This week the 2nds entertain Morley at Stacks Field in league fixture.
13th September 2008
At Stacks Field Ilkley’s second fifteen came up against a rejuvenated Bradford & Bingley second string a came out on top 19 points to 11.
This was a strong performance which will gladden the hearts of the Ilkley coaching team.
Scoring came from:
Chris Weatherby - 2 tries
Nick Bell - 1 try
Pete Wilson - 2 conversions
2007-2008
Final league table...well done lads
| |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
| Wharfedale |
21 |
18 |
0 |
3 |
803 |
206 |
36 |
| Hull Ionians |
21 |
14 |
1 |
6 |
616 |
372 |
29 |
| Morley |
18 |
14 |
0 |
4 |
571 |
211 |
28 |
| Cleckheaton |
17 |
12 |
0 |
5 |
364 |
281 |
24 |
| Ilkley |
21 |
11 |
0 |
10 |
485 |
417 |
22 |
| Beverley |
18 |
9 |
0 |
9 |
591 |
310 |
18 |
| Harrogate |
17 |
9 |
0 |
8 |
516 |
359 |
18 |
| Sheffield Tigers |
22 |
9 |
0 |
14 |
356 |
504 |
18 |
| Huddersfield |
17 |
7 |
0 |
19 |
190 |
447 |
14 |
| Scunthorpe |
18 |
5 |
0 |
13 |
287 |
683 |
10 |
| Hull |
17 |
4 |
1 |
12 |
238 |
377 |
9 |
| Sheffield |
15 |
3 |
0 |
12 |
169 |
543 |
6 |
| Bradford & Bingley |
14 |
3 |
0 |
11 |
186 |
390 |
4 |
Saturday 19th April 2008
Stop press: Hull have backworded on the fiXture for Saturday 19th April. A hastily arranged fixture at York ko 1 p.m. now awaits.
Saturday 12th April 2008
At Stacks Field Ilkley’s young but precocious second fifteen took on old rivals Beverley in their Yorkshire Premier second XV league match. Such is the discord in the visitors' camp, they arrived with only 13 men. Sportingly Ilkley “lent” them Tim Rawlins, making a welcome return to the club, and Andy Cromack. Both helped Beverley make a game of it and they almost snatched victory.
However tries from Rhodri Jones and Tim Barley with goals from Brendan Kelley and Andy Rhodes gave Ilkley a narrow 25 – 22 win to confirm their very creditable fifth place in the league.
This Saturday is the concluding weekend in the regular league programme. Ilkley’s first fifteen take on local rivals and friends Bradford Salem in a match preceded by a lunch at which the RFU Senior vice president Brian Williams will present their award for Fundraising Club of the Year and their year 4 Seal of Approval accreditation certificate. The second fifteen take on Hull in a match kicking off at 1.30 p.m. The big match kicks off as usual at 3 p.m.
Saturday 29th March 2008
Ilkley’s rampant second fifteen racked up 72 points to 3 against Sheffield’s second string.
The easy victory should set the scene nicely for the Skipton Properties Aire Wharfe Cup campaign which kicks off at Keighley on Wednesday evening at 6.15 p.m.
| |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
| Wharfedale |
21 |
18 |
0 |
3 |
803 |
206 |
36 |
| Hull Ionians |
21 |
14 |
1 |
6 |
616 |
372 |
29 |
| Morley |
18 |
14 |
0 |
4 |
571 |
211 |
28 |
| Cleckheaton |
17 |
12 |
0 |
5 |
364 |
281 |
24 |
| Ilkley |
21 |
11 |
0 |
10 |
485 |
417 |
22 |
| Beverley |
18 |
9 |
0 |
9 |
591 |
310 |
18 |
| Harrogate |
17 |
9 |
0 |
8 |
516 |
359 |
18 |
| Sheffield Tigers |
22 |
9 |
0 |
14 |
356 |
504 |
18 |
| Huddersfield |
17 |
7 |
0 |
19 |
190 |
447 |
14 |
| Scunthorpe |
18 |
5 |
0 |
13 |
287 |
683 |
10 |
| Hull |
17 |
4 |
1 |
12 |
238 |
377 |
9 |
| Sheffield |
15 |
3 |
0 |
12 |
169 |
543 |
6 |
| Bradford & Bingley |
14 |
3 |
0 |
11 |
186 |
390 |
4 |
Saturday 22nd March 2008
Dalesmen unhinge ‘gate with 60 scintillating points
Ilkley’s second fifteen continued their climb up the Yorkshire second XV premier league. The setbacks of early season have been put behind them and now they sit in a commendable fifth place. This is some achievement for a side regularly playing against clubs with semi-professional players in their sides such as Wharfedale, Morley, Hull Ionians and others.
Harrogate sat equal on points with Ilkley in the league table. This victory sees the Dalesmen move into fifth place.
The team has been a great blend of youth and experience with the likes of skipper Andrew Draper, Tony Greig, BJ Fowler, Nick Bell, Brendan Kelley, Jonny Shanks and Martin Hemingway et al giving the young players the benefit of their years in the game. The enthusiasm showed in the fact that 25 players showed up for selection on the day. It was important that some players in the 1st squad got game time ahead of this week’s encounter at Sheffield. The shame was that the rules of the competition only allow 7 replacements, and so all were not able to get a run out on this Easter Saturday.
With the first fifteen out of action coach Kay was able to get a look at this side first hand. Without doubt all 25 would be well able to slot seamlessly into the 1st XV. Indeed most of them have done throughout the season. These are positive signs for the club as the senior side progresses towards a play-off place for promotion to the league above. Those disappointed not to have got game time can look forward to the home encounter with Sheffield seconds on Saturday when surely they will get a start.
The 1st XV travel to Abbeydale for their vital league match against once mighty Sheffield. A win would put them within touching distance of securing second place.
Harrogate are no slouches in this league and came to Stacks Field with a strong and big side. A tricky Northerly wind would make the kicking game difficult so it was the team who could keep the ball in hand that would prosper. The pitch was near perfect for running rugby.
It was the Dalesmen who laid down the marker with the first try after first they had coughed up turnover ball, only to turn it back again for Jim McBirnie to dance his way through fairly hapless defending to score. Brendan Kelley has honed his kicking skills and he converted to give his side a 7 – 0 lead.
‘gate came straight back and looked as though they might strike, but they again lost control of the ball allowing the fleet-footed Mcbirnie to set Andrew Matthews for a charge. He was stopped close in but Rhodri Jones was on his shoulder to pop a delicate pass up to Chris Weatherby for the second try and a 12 – 0 lead.
Then it was the Dalesmens’ turn to defend. They were better in that discipline too! ‘gate laid siege to the home side’s line with a series of penalties helping their cause. Defending has become a hallmark of all Ilkley sides’ play this season and they held the visitors out. Two more superb tries followed before the break. The first was initiated by that man Mcbirnie who waltzed out of defence to set up the most sublime of handling moves culminating in Jones setting Matthews up for a great try.
The second inevitably had the silky hand of Mcbirnie on it. Brendan Kelley had one of his trademark charges upfield. Mcbirnie took it on to set Simon Smith on an infield charge. Then came 2 phases of ruck ball, followed by slick passing down a wide line that included Dan Wright and Jonny Shanks. Shanks had the final few metres to stroll over and score.
22 – 0 at half time was a great result playing into the gale. So cold was it that the referee agreed to ‘gate’s request to a 5 minute interval break in the changing rooms. Surely the teams weren’t sharing easter eggs!
It was the Dalesmen who seemed to benefit from the unusual break.
Straight away the McBirnie – Matthews pivot was effective again as the dancing man ran round at least three defenders to score his second of the day, Matthews having made the break. 29 – 0.
The next was a text book try. A well taken lineout was driven then Andy Draper fed Andrew Rhodes whose split second pass found Matthews on an unstoppable run to score under the posts. 36 – 0.
‘gate capitulated.
Tries from Sean Gilbert, set up by Kelley’s bullocking run, another from McBirnie after Rhodes and Bell had combined beautifully from deep and Kelley himself showed a clean pair of heels to a broken ‘gate from 60 metres out. Finally Mcbirnie added another as he picked up great set ball to skip over after some stunning flowing rugby highlighted by a charge from Hemingway which was stopped just short.
The scoring proceedings were interrupted as the Dalesmen once again showed they could defend as well as attack but succumbed to a forwards’ effort to put the only blemish on the day.
The final score a tremendous 60 points to 5. The large Easter Saturday crowd was mightily impressed with this slick and classy Ilkley side.
Saturday 8th March 2008
Ilkley’s second fifteen had another tough league match, this time at probably the league’s strongest side Wharfedale. Having lost to them at home by a lot of points early season the Dalesmen had revenge on the agenda. Wharfedale and the weather had other ideas. An ice storm during the first half had the referee contemplating calling the match off. Certainly a number of Ilkley players had the most severe exfoliate of their lives! However play did continue and tries late in both halves and one more contrived to their first reversal for a number of weeks. 15 – 0 was the final score. A satisfactory performance was the verdict. Full respect was given to a classy Wharfedale outfit who deserved their victory
Saturday 1st March 2008
pics at www.image-and-style.co.uk (one of all three tries Greigy?)
Ilkley’s second team kept up their winning run of league matches with a workmanlike if ugly win over Bradford and Bingley 30 points to 3. That stalwart, the colossus Tony Greig bagged a hat trick, with Chris Weatherby and Martin Hemingway adding two more. Andrew Rhodes added the other 5 points with his trusty boot.
Saturday 16th February 2008
The Dalesmen’s second fifteen travelled the long road to Scunthorpe to take on another outfit that plies its first team trade in higher leagues. They came out winners in a tense affair 26 points to 24. Tries were scored by young winger Andy Cromack and his counterpart Chris Weatherby, Ian Moffatt and Pete Turner. Goals kicked by Andy Rhodes. First team squad players Ian Moffatt and Brendan Kelley formed a formidable centre pairing. This is another great achievement in the development of this highly promising team.
Saturday 9th February 2008
The rampant second fifteen travelled to Sandal for a midday kick-off. In another bruising encounter they came out winners 17 - 0 with tries from Andy Cromack and Chris Weatherby. Andy Rhodes added the goals to seal another great victory. They now have set their sights on a top four finish in the premier league for second fifteens in Yorkshire. Skipper Andrew Draper said he was confident the side would only get better and had learnt a lot form their early experiences playing the senior clubs in Yorkshire.
Saturday 2nd February 2008
Driffield 2nd XV 8, Ilkley 2nd XV 13
Ilkley's resurgent second fifteen made the long journey to East Yorkshire to take on North one outfit Driffield.
This Ilkley side, a good blend of youth and experience, was fresh from their superb victory at Morley and raring to go at a Driffield side featuring four first teamers in their starting line up, and two more on the bench.
Tries from big Jon Hutchinson, getting valuable game time following a weeks' absence on the piste, and the prodigious Andy Cromack with Andrew Rhodes adding a penalty gave the Dalesmen the edge in a tight contest. The Ilkley side are now establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with in this tough premier second fifteen league.
The Morley and Driffield results are truly fine performances and bode well for the future.
This weekend the Dalesmens’ first fifteen, without a game at the weekend as result of a frost bound Yarnbury pitch, visit Sandal for a 2.15 p.m. kick off in the battle of the Titans in Yorkshire league one (league leaders Sandal with 27 points, play second Ilkley with 26 points), whilst the second team also go to Sandal for a midday kick-off.
Meanwhile Ilkley's conquerors in the EDF Vase competition, Old Brodleians, were knocked out in the quarter final tie, away at Spalding in a narrow 15 -12 defeat. That probably takes a bit of the pain away from losing to Brods in the last 32, with Twickenham on the horizon.
On the injury front Iain McKenzie’s badly damaged face is healing, The stitches (13 of them), were removed last weekend. The club’s website has had a number of posts apoplectic about the behaviour of the YMCA player responsible. It was not the kind of play expected at any level of rugby. A number of spectators, attending an Ilkley match for the first time, must have wondered whether this sort of play was normal. Well, thankfully, virtually all the league matches in which the Dalesmen have participated this season have been played in tremendous spirit and sportsmanship. This incident was an exception to the norm in Yorkshire league rugby. It is to be hoped it remains so.
| |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
| Morley |
13 |
12 |
0 |
1 |
528 |
117 |
24 |
| Wharfedale |
14 |
12 |
0 |
2 |
578 |
131 |
24 |
| Cleckheaton |
14 |
10 |
0 |
4 |
296 |
225 |
20 |
| Harrogate |
13 |
8 |
0 |
5 |
395 |
248 |
16 |
| Sheffield Tigers |
17 |
8 |
0 |
9 |
320 |
369 |
16 |
| Hull Ionians |
13 |
7 |
1 |
5 |
359 |
238 |
15 |
| Beverley |
12 |
6 |
0 |
6 |
172 |
237 |
12 |
| Ilkley |
15 |
6 |
0 |
9 |
272 |
375 |
12 |
| Scunthorpe |
14 |
5 |
0 |
9 |
239 |
434 |
10 |
| Huddersfield |
14 |
6 |
0 |
8 |
160 |
395 |
12 |
| Sheffield |
11 |
3 |
0 |
8 |
152 |
384 |
6 |
| Hull |
13 |
2 |
1 |
10 |
187 |
297 |
5 |
| Bradford & Bingley |
12 |
3 |
0 |
9 |
179 |
287 |
4 |
Saturday 26th January 2008
Perhaps the result of the day was the Ilkley second fifteen’s magnificent victory at Morley. Having succumbed to a shed load of points earlier in the season, the resurgent 2’s travelled to Scatcherd Lane, home of the semi-pro side, and came away with a hard fought 12 -10 victory.
Tries from Lee Gilbank and BJ Fowler and a conversion from Andy Rhodes inflicted Morley’s first second team defeat of the season.
What a transformation. What a win!
Contact SportNetwork.net | Join Us: Official | Join Us: Unofficial | Advertise on SportNetwork.net | Complain | Our Links
