Thanks to the never-ending bone-headed decisions taken by the RFU and the tin-eared Yorkshire RFU, Ilkley’s season was due to finish today at around 4.30. Instead, the Dalesmen decided to pack it all in thirty  minutes earlier, squandering a commanding lead, to fold and lose by 48 points to 43. What a shame for retiring players Blake Morgan and Tom Dickinson, who could and should have had a far more memorable last game for the club they have served so well. Both played the fu

With fourth place in the League nailed on, Ilkley travelled up to England’s northernmost rugby club with nothing to play for but pride. Their hosts on the other hand were anxious to secure second place in order to have home advantage in the forthcoming play-offs, which will be against Harrogate, whose demolition of Sandal means they will finish third. There were various changes in the Ilkley side , which could not be described as being at full strength, but they made a lively

With Ilkley pretty much at full strength and coming off the back of a comfortable win away at Driffield, there was considerably more optimism in the air amongst the Ilkley faithful, compared with the visit to Heath in November. Back then, with half a dozen or more players missing, the Dalesmen were on the end of a 45-10 pummelling, so on a lovely Spring day, there was something to prove, not least as the visitors had just lost their only match of the season to date, away to A

One of the highlights of the Ilkley Rugby Club calendar is fast approaching, with the Annual Club Dinner taking place on Friday 17th April at the clubhouse . This popular event brings together players, members, parents, volunteers and supporters from across the whole club for an evening of good food, great company and plenty of rugby conversation. The annual dinner is always a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the season, catch up with teammates and friends, and enjoy a prop

A cloudy and cool day awaited Ilkley at Driffield but the Dalesmen warmed their faithful supporters with a lively and competent performance to gain a well deserved win. Despite missing  three players from last week's side, Ilkley made a bright start playing up the slight slope when from a scrum the ball went quickly right and Harry Harrison slipped his tackles and good interpassing gave Blake Morgan an unconverted try. Driffield came back but were repulsed and Ilkley were aga

There was a big crowd of supporters at Stack's field for this local derby match and conditions were good and dry. As expected the match was hard fought with Ilkley throwing their all at Harrogate. Ultimately though, Harrogate's very big pack held the upper arm and swung the day for the visitors.  Ilkley had a dream start when Ilkley's forwards regained lost scrum ball to release full back Freddy Brown who left Harrogate with a great view of his back as he scorched through for

Ilkley vs Pocklington U17 Colts 22 Feb 26 – Reported by Gary Ferguson The Winter Sun made a rare Yorkshire cameo at Stacks Field — presumably bribed with tea and biscuits — as a gallant but numerically challenged Pocklington side arrived for the sequel nobody knew they needed: 14-a-side rugby. Numbers may have been down, but spirits were not. Ilkley, still feeling the aftershocks of last week’s epic against Keighley, welcomed back Captain Harry Schmidt and Loosehead Prop Will

Regional One North East: Cleckheaton 25, Ilkley 44   ILKLEY are well on track to better their highest-ever finish in Regional One North East. They currently sit third, having advanced a place at the weekend after winning their derby 44-25 at bottom-of-the-table Cleckheaton, while Harrogate dropped a spot to fourth following their 44-36 home defeat to leaders Heath. However, finishing above the seventh place that Ilkley achieved last season is not the limit of their ambitions.

Ilkley 12 v Keighley 7 The rain relented to provide the first dry window for what feels like weeks. The pitch was in amazing condition. Fresh from the sponsors team photographs with Mike Picken (Attis), Mike Simms (Cardinal), Joe Widdop (Ripon Ground Care), Mark Hall (Business Waste) and David Shaw (Ilkley Pride) all supporting local youth rugby with a spanking new strip, training tops and bags. The lads ran out as firm underdogs. A scratch side with many absentees, Jacob

Following what seemed like a full week of rain, sunshine greeted the players on Saturday afternoon in what turned out to be a very good win for Ilkley but a win which was very well contested by Blaydon, particularly in the first half.  Ilkley started at pace gaining a penalty from their kick off and possession from their lineout allowing a swift moving maul to give Blake Morgan their first try, not converted. Ilkley kept the pressure on and on 9 minutes from another Ilkley li