Entertaining Win For Ilkley Over Blaydon

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 lineout, good passing in the backs allowed centre Freddy Clark to scamper over for a try converted by Charles Morgan. 

Images courtesy of Yorkshire based Peter and Cecile Clark (Ruggerpix). View the full album here.

Blaydon then responded when an Ilkley high tackle gave them ground at Ilkley's 22. Winning their lineout their backs showed determination and a missed tackle in the centre allowed centre Lawless to score a converted try. Game on!

Blaydon kicked off but the Ilkley take was kicked downfield and put into touch by Blaydon. A quick lineout by Blake Morgan followed by some sparkling interpassing by Ilkley put flyer Brown away for an unconverted try. 17 - 7. Blaydon were not dismayed and fought back forcing a lineout on Ilkley's 22 and mauling over for Pentland to score a converted try.

The tit for tat scoring continued with Ilkley regaining possession and quick hands gave Magee a run through for a converted try. Back again came Blaydon aided by a silly penalty for offside by Ilkley and from their lineout Blaydon took advantage of Ilkley's inability to deal with their mauls to roll over once more for an unconverted try. 24 - 19. With their tails up Blaydon were keeping Ilkley busy in defence.

This pressure continued with Blaydon profiting from another silly Ilkley offside to drive deep into Ilkley's 22. Their maul was, at last, halted and Ilkley gained the scrum. However,  they kept handing the initiative back to Blaydon as soon as they regained possession. Blaydon were playing well and keeping Ilkley penned in their 22 for the remainder of the first half. 

Fortunately Ilkley made a good start to the second half with driving play and crisp passing for Max Jones to force his way over for a converted try. Tempers suddenly flared up with a melee of players involved and a lecture from Mr Garland accompanied by a yellow card for each side, Tom Reavey departing for Ilkley. Blaydon got the penalty and then another to force Ilkley back to their line when prominent player Jack Hamilton took a rest and Ilkley were under the cosh with 2 men in the bin!

However, they knuckled down and good running and tackling pushed Blaydon back. Ilkley's defence was holding firm and eventually they gained a penalty to move into Blaydon's half only for a dropped pass to scupper a promising backs move. Blaydon then seized the initiative and with an ominous overlap threatening Charles Morgan made a lightening and timely interception to ease Ilkley away to 38 - 19. 

Ilkley were now in charge and back on attack with a superb passing movement putting Brown away for his second try. More good play by Ilkley kept Blaydon on the backfoot and it was no surprise that livewire Blake Morgan scorched through for the final try converted by brother Charles.

This was another entertaining game against good opposition who strongly contested the game and are well worth their top half table position. Ilkley can now take a well earned week's rest before tackling Cleckheaton away on the 14^th February. This will be a tough game as Cleck always put in a very strong performance against Ilkley so plenty of support is called for please!