Ilkley Centurions Make History

For the first time in the club’s 127-year history, the third team, the Centurions, played a league match. A coach trip up to beautiful Wensleydale. The sunshine greeted the travellers and the vista was spectacular. Not many places can challenge Ilkley on that front, but I’m afraid we have to doff our flat caps on that front.

As the farmers were at a critical stage of their season, Ilkley assisted the opposition with players. League rules aside, rugby is a game like no other; brothers and sisters unite.

As the sun illuminated the idyllic valley, the much-awaited whistle announced the start of a groundbreaking season. Bedford Collins Boys were back.

It was a controlled start, with the Centurions electing to play with a substantial wind, forcing the large, robust opposition back into their 22. It wasn’t long before Padlock broke through to open the season’s account.

The game then continued in a similar fashion, with Ilkley opening up their impressive backline and playing open, attractive, flowing rugby at every opportunity. Tries came along at regular intervals. They were all textbook, with forwards and backs linking together with attractive rugby to match the scenery.

The crowd, basking in the sunshine, lapped it up. As the scoreboard continued to tick over, players started to put a marker down for the season.

The centre partnership cut through the opposition like a hot knife through butter. Doug on the wing was nothing short of outstanding. New signing stand-off Lambert spread the ball with speed and accuracy, until illness caught up with him and he had to take a rest in the forwards. Hope Robinson slipped in to maintain the momentum.

The Centurions were marching forward in unison. Colt Free Willy Simms energised the back row, and captain fantastic Matt Walker, the Roy Keane of rugby, rallied his troops relentlessly.

The firework display came to a conclusion as Sutty scored a ripper of a try to bring the curtain down. The Centurions had scored 77 points to Wensleydale’s 10.

Earlier in the week, rugby royalty Ken Bernard reminisced about a previous magical match at Wensleydale. This was surely its rival for top billing.

The hosts provided after-match scran, which hit the mark, the most unusual boat race ever, and hearty friendship and hospitality.

Mentions in dispatches go to…

The ref, Gaz. Often overlooked and often the pantomime villains, referees have a hard job pleasing everyone. He was perfect. He made the match flow, and rugby was the winner.

The Ted Rogers 3-2-1 Men of the Match

3 points: Douglas Burn

2 points: Jack Dobson

1 point: Luke Hope Robertson

Nigel Keighley will be proud of his ginger clansmen.

All the players put in a shift. They all stepped up to the plate. They should all be very proud, none more so than Rob Bedford Collins.

You have battled through thick and thin to reach this moment.

We all salute you!