Ilkley Return to Winning Ways with Six-Try Thriller at Stacks Field

After a disappointing visit to the North East last week, the Dalesmen were anxious to get their show back on the road against a side languishing at the bottom of the table. This is Cleckheaton though, a side that should never be taken lightly, despite their poor start to the season.

Sure enough, the visitors starved Ilkley of possession and always looked dangerous when they got close to the Ilkley goal line. The home side was forced into giving penalties away - four in the first seven minutes and from one of these, scrum-half Tom Egan scored after his pack won a line.

The lead wasn’t to last long, as a dropped pass on the Cleckheaton 22 was hacked through by Louis Anderson for Harry Harrison to score under the posts.

On their next foray into the Ilkley half, a another loose pass was pounced upon by Harrison, who set off from his own 22, making 50 yards before his beautifully weighted pass found the supporting Anderson on his left, who returned the compliment with another try under the posts to make it 12-5.

The remaining 15 minutes of the half were nip and tuck, producing only one score, a scrum penalty to Ilkley that Anderson put over and a yellow card for Ilkley’s Rory Garbutt for a high tackle.

Ilkley’s 12 point lead was increased just 3 minutes into the second half, when a classic backs’ passing movement was finished off by winger Will Martindale, Anderson kicking a superb conversion from far out.

Cleck were not out of it by any means though as a deft chip over the defence by Dale Breakwell was misfielded, allowing Jack Marshall to bag his side’s second, converted by Breakwell.

Ilkley’s kick-off was obligingly knocked on and from good scrum ball, Charles Morgan produced some magic, chipping over the onrushing defence. Ben Magee was on his shoulder to collect the ball on the full, then to make 30 yards before passing inside for Morgan to go under the posts - a magical try to notch the bonus point. Anderson made it 31-12.

Back came the visitors, catching the Ilkley defence having a quick nap, enabling Marshall to grab his second and his side’s third, converted by Breakwell. Then some more Magee sleight of hand, latching on to a loose ball and feeding Morgan, who drew his man beautifully before releasing Anderson to score. The conversion made it 38-19.

Cleck were not done yet though, as Egan ran in for the try bonus point, Breakwell converting, but neither were Ilkley. A clearance kick was brilliantly fielded by Anderson, who scythed through a tiring defence to register his hat-trick. He then kicked the conversion to make it six from six and the match finished with the score at 45-26 in favour of the Dalesmen.

Anderson accounted for 30 of those points, which was some achievement on a blustery day, but credit should also go the Ilkley pack, with Jack Hamilton in particular having a great game.

Next up is a trip to Harrogate in two weeks time. Whilst losing away to unbeaten Heath on Saturday, the Rudding Park side should be the toughest opponents to date for the Ilkley team. Having said that, the last time the Dalesmen were there, they won for the first time since 1961! Nil desperandum, as they say.