Dalesmen Show Resilience Amidst Challenging Conditions

So, half way through the season now and the Dalesmen remain in 4th position, despite losing their third game to a top three side, at the hands of a very slick Alnwick outfit. Still not at full strength and in some truly awful weather conditions, the Dalesmen can thank Louis Anderson’s boot for gaining a solitary losing bonus point, as he converted Harry Harrison’s try a long way out on the left wing with five minutes to play.

Anderson had already hit the post twice and with referee Sam Potts unsighted for Harrison’s touch-down following a chip through, it was clearly not Ilkley’s day.

Unusually, it was Ilkley who enjoyed the opening salvoes more, but Alnwick withstood the pressure and on their first attack, Ilkley conceded a penalty. The line won, a textbook backs’ move saw centre Alex Robson go over wide out, James Blackett’s conversion attempt drifting wide.

Then it was Ilkley’s turn, as Blake Morgan took a quick penalty and made 30 metres before being tackled. The Alnwick full-back, Lachlan Townsend killed the ball and was carded. This time, Ilkley won the line and Adam Booth powered over, Anderson’s kick hitting the post. 

Back came Alnwick for Blackett to bag his second under the posts this time, following a training-ground move from a line-out and a yellow for Booth. Blackett’s kick was good and Ilkley were 5-12 down after just a quarter of an hour.

Down came the rain and up went the handling errors, especially by the home side. Alnwick pressure was forcing Ilkley into giving penalties away and on the half-hour mark, Blackett put one over to go 10 points clear.

Ilkley pulled themselves together and fought back well, earning a much needed penalty with five to go before half time, which Anderson slotted to reduce the arrears to 7 points as the whistle blew.

The weather made a mockery of two sides trying to play open rugby and there was no further scoring for the first twenty minutes of the second half. Both sides were trying to make a game of it though and several speculative kicks for territory were exchanged in this period.

Inevitably, both sides were giving away penalties and Anderson’s second striking of the upright served to show that nothing was going Ilkley’s way. Insult was added to injury when Blackett’s kick was successful for his side’s only score of the second half.

Ilkley’s kick off went straight into touch, but possession was regained and Ilkley’s backs mounted an attack. A grubber kick went over the line and Harrison seemingly won the race to touch down, but to general chagrin amongst the crowd, the ‘try’ was disallowed and it was back to square one for the Dalesmen to salvage something from the game.

Then came Harrison’s 16th try of the season, as an almost identical move found favour with Mr.Potts and allowed Anderson his moment of glory. 15-21 with five to go.

To their credit, playing in a crepuscular rainstorm, Ilkley rallied their troops and won a penalty which was kicked to 10m from the Alnwick goal line. A jump, a knock on and that was it - game over. Alnwick’s win must go down to their superb defence and somewhat better management of the conditions, but Ilkley’s work rate cannot be faulted.

A disappointing run then, which hopefully will be brought to an end with a win against Kendal next week, again at home. The Ilkley faithful will be hoping for a full-strength side and a dry pitch.

See all the match photos from Peter & Cecile Clark at Ruggerpix in the full album here.