Ilkley Centurions Dig Deep Against Ripon 2s
The Centurions welcomed Ripon 2s to an extremely wet and windy Stacks Field, still smarting from two chastening defeats against East Yorkshire opposition. Back to having an exciting, lightning-fast backline and their strongest pack of the season, confidence was high.
Ilkley emerged from the changing rooms into torrential rain, as spectators desperately sought whatever shelter they could find to avoid a soaking. The ramp outside the boiler room was full to capacity, with the hardy supporters bracing themselves for the afternoon ahead.
The early exchanges were positive, with the Ilkley forwards driving hard at the visitors’ defence despite the unrelenting rain. Zlatan Rouchford returned to the side in style, his rangy running proving difficult to contain. However, the Centurions’ discipline came under scrutiny from the referee, disrupting their momentum.
Photos courtesy of Gary Ferguson on Facebook.
Scruffy ball led to a hack through and a frantic scramble in defence. Ripon capitalised on the ensuing set pieces, eventually breaching a spirited Ilkley defence to score the opening try, which was well converted.
The Centurions responded positively but continued to fluff their lines at crucial moments when building pressure. Once again, Ripon broke away and demonstrated a clinical edge close to the try line, despite resolute Ilkley defending. Another converted try left the home side with work to do.
Given the conditions and a growing feeling that decisions were not going their way, it would have been easy for heads to drop. Instead, changes were made and fresh legs provided renewed impetus. Ilkley drove towards the Cannabis Park end, where Ben Rawnsley forced his way over the line for a well-earned try. The conversion was missed.
The game was becoming very much a forwards-dominated contest, with the backs having precious little opportunity to shine. However, a glimmer of space appeared and the ball found young Oscar Whitehead inside his own half. Oscar produced a sharp step to evade the first tackle before unleashing his pace and racing away from the cover. The best the Ripon defence could manage was to shepherd him towards the corner, but the damage was done. Lambert nailed the conversion from out wide.
Half-time arrived with just a missed conversion separating the sides. The Centurions were very much in the contest.
Ilkley threw everything at their opponents after the restart, with some thunderous carries into a stern Ripon defence. Gary Coulter led by example, with Rawnsley, Zlatan, Pemberton, Sam Hughes and converted forward Joe Ambler all pounding at the door.
Camped inside the Ripon 22, the Centurions were held up over the line twice. Frustration began to creep in, and Lambert twice attempted to force the issue with a lollipop kick over the top and a looping pass out wide. The second was spotted by the Ripon centre, who seized the opportunity to intercept. The entire Centurions backline was wrong-footed as he sprinted clear to score. The try was converted, leaving Ilkley with a mountain to climb.
Frustration was now evident, with minor infringements being picked up by the official. One such penalty was dispatched between the posts, extending Ripon’s advantage.
Twelve points down with 20 minutes to play.
Yet the Centurions refused to surrender. Sustained pressure and countless powerful Rawnsley runs dragged Ilkley back within touching distance. Nick Lockyer provided the cool head and determination to force his way over for another crucial try. The conversion drifted wide, leaving the deficit intact.
With time running out, the final shuffle of the deck saw a change in formation and the youth policy brought firmly into action. The Centurions battled to the very end, but the final whistle came earlier than the home side might have hoped, with the conditions clearly taking their toll on proceedings.
There was plenty to be proud of. An extremely gritty, hard-fought performance did not quite deliver the result Ilkley wanted, but both teams played their part in what was a fantastic game of rugby. Every Centurion, to a man, stepped up to the plate and gave everything for the shirt.
The result may not have gone their way, but the spirit, commitment and resilience on display will give the side plenty to build on.
Ted Rogers Man of the Match Awards
3 points – Ben Rawnsley
A mountain of a performance, full of powerful carries and determination, capped by a deserved try.
2 points – Gary Coulter
An unbelievable engine and an insatiable appetite to carry the ball. Led from the front throughout.
1 point – Zlatan Rouchford
Back from the rigs and straight into the thick of it. The Centurions’ very own Red Adair gave absolutely everything on his return.
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