Ilkley Overcome Sandal in Thrilling Rain-Soaked Clash

Ilkley 42  Sandal 24

Despite the avalanche of rain up to kick off and all through the game this proved to be an exciting and entertaining match in which Sandal belied their league position with determined and vociferously supported play throughout the match. Indeed, there were few dropped passes and running rugby was the order of the day.

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Sandal were first onto the attack with a good kick to touch and lineout catch which was repelled by Ilkley who pushed Sandal back to half way gaining a penalty in the process. Louis Anderson had the distance but pushed it just wide. Ilkley then put the pressure on with a great run by Ben Magee from Ilkley’s half and Sandal had to scramble back to regain possession from his kick ahead. However, Ilkley then charged down their clearance kick and gained a scrum from which Will Martindale scored a try after several passing movements, Anderson converting. Sandal hit back with a well taken penalty kick but Anderson then found the mark with an Ilkley penalty in response.  

Four minutes later Sandal were back in the game with good attacking play pressurising the Ilkley line leading to a missed Ilkley tackle and Sandal’s Tom O’Brien going over and converting his try. Score 10 – 10. The game ebbed and flowed each way but 5 minutes later a Sandal kick ahead was caught by Magee who made good ground before interpassing saw Harry Harrison go over for a converted try. Ilkley then scored again from an excellent attacking lineout with Adam Booth scoring an un converted try. Score 22 – 10 at half time.  

The second half started with an Anderson penalty followed by another when Sandal were penalised for holding on. Will Martin earned a yellow card for a late tackle and Sandal took full advantage with a lineout catch and drive over for a well taken converted try. Back came Ilkley who pounced on a poor pass from the Sandal 10 and kicked through the loose ball for Tom Reavey to score and unconverted try. Score 35 – 17.

Sandal were not done though and took advantage of their extra man with an overlap to score another converted try. The rain got heavier but Ilkley were not deterred and Magee took control of the game by running around Sandal’s defence to score a brilliant try well converted by Anderson.  

This was indeed an entertaining game played in awful conditions but gave great fare for the excellent crowd. Great credit to both sides.

Andrew Munro