Ilkley Dominant In Victory Despite Middlesbrough's Resilience

The rain relented in the early hours to provide much better conditions than expected for this rearranged match.

Ilkley started brightly when Charles Morgan kicked a penalty long downfield.  Middlesbrough failed to gather and illegally prevented Ilkley scoring from their kick ahead resulting in a penalty try and an early 7 - 0 lead. To their credit Middlesbrough came straight back and pushed Ilkley back via a penalty to their 5 metre line from which they mauled their way over for a well taken try. 

Photographs courtesy of Cecile and Peter Clark from Ruggerpix. View the full album here.

Ilkley were not having it though and from their midfield scrum the ball went to Ben Magee who cut through to give Harry Taylor an unconverted try. From another midfield scrum an inside pass from Charles Morgan released new winger Freddie Brown who scorched through Middlesbrough ranks untouched to the home crowd's delight. Score 19 - 5. 

Ilkley then turned the screw and pressure yielded a penalty and from the lineout they mauled their way over for Max Jones to touch down, converted by Charles Morgan. Ilkley then moved sprightly on with Freddy Clark making a good break and tea passing saw Blake Morgan over for a converted try. He then repeated the feat with another converted try following more splendid interpassing. 

Middlesbrough then fought back with some good play but it was quickly extinguished as Freddy Clark made a timely interception for another 7 points. Ilkley finished the half in style when Blake Morgan scored his hatrick when he collected a kick through for a converted try but not before Ollie Ham collected a yellow card for a high tackle. Score 54 - 5.

The second half proved to be an anticlimax for Ilkley as Middlesbrough, to their great credit, saw their chance to take the initiative and came out in fighting mode. Ilkley were slow to engage their attack and Middlesbrough took advantage of their extra man to score a try.

Ilkley responded, gaining 2 penalties and, from a lineout near their opponent's line, mauled their way over for Max Jones to claim his brace, Morgan converting. Yellow cards then followed for Middlesbrough's hooker and shortly afterwards for Tom Dickinson for a high tackle. Ilkley managed two further scores from Ed Brown, converted, and Harry Taylor, unconverted.

At this point, with Ilkley trying different forward combinations, Middlesbrough took their opportunity to show their fighting spirit and, with tails up, scored four tries, three converted for a final score of 73 - 36 to Ilkley. Jack Hamilton showed his class once again with frequent forward breaks ably supported by his fellow forwards.

Middlesbrough collected a well deserved bonus point and can be proud of their second half performance. The game was ably refereed by Mr Tom Howard on his second visit to Ilkley.

Ilkley gained 5 points but will have to maintain their pressure throughout the game when facing Blaydon at home on Saturday, nothing less.