Nail-Biting Win For Ilkley Over Penrith

Ilkley travelled up to the murky hills of Cumbria for this return match which Ilkley won well in a rather one sided contest at Stack's Field back in October.

It soon became clear that Penrith were looking to reverse the scoreline with their huge front row leading their charge.

Early scrum pressure from Penrith forced a penalty and from the resulting kick Penrith were up to the Ilkley 10. However,  Ilkley's defence held firm and Ben Magee led Ilkley's response upfield on the attack. Ilkley kept up the pressure with Jones and Slator to the fore. Following an Ilkley lineout they went for the line but the inside pass to Blake Morgan went begging and with it the first score. Ilkley kept at it and after good play earned a penalty which was narrowly missed by Louis Anderson. Ilkley kept up their attack and after winning their scrum centre Freddy Clark made a clean break but his pass went to ground and the chance of first score went begging. 

It had been Ilkley on the attack for the first 11 minutes but then Ilkley's generosity gave Penrith the initiative and their big men pushed Ilkley downhill with 4 consecutive penalties and from the latter Penrith's lineout formed an irresistible drive over Ilkley's line for the first try, unconverted. 

From the restart Ilkley's response was immediate. Jack Hamilton caught Ilkley's kick off and the forwards combined to drive over for Ollie Ham to score , converted by Louis Anderson.

Game on and what an entertaining and exciting see saw match it proved to be with both sides going hard to score. Penrith forced a scrum from the restart and via two penalties were up to Ilkley's 10 metre line and their centre cut through to score a converted try. Ilkley then came under the cosh with Blake Morgan yellow carded for a late tackle. Ed Brown came on but Ilkley were 7 against a big Penrith pack.

However, despite scrum penalties against them Ilkley fought back and earned a penalty giving Ben Magee a good run but a dropped pass denied further progress. Then it was Ilkley's turn to put the pressure on gaining several penalties and ground through Hamilton, Jones and Erskine. This led to good running and passing and that man Magee danced over. Anderson' conversion rebounded off the upright. 12 - 12.

Ilkley then kept the pressure on and pushed Penrith back gaining a welcome scrum penalty which they kicked to the corner. From the lineout Magee and Charles Morgan swapped passes and Magee was in again for a converted try to lead 12 - 19. On 44 minutes Tanner came on for Slator with Ham moving to prop. Penrith took their turn to attack but Ilkley held firm to end the first half.

The second half opened with the see saw firmly in Penrith's favour and their pack drove over to reduce the deficit to 17 - 19. Immediately Penrith kept their foot on the pedal and using their strong scrum forced Ilkley back into their 22 and their scrum half darted over for a converted try. Only minutes gone and Penrith had turned the game on its head!

Ilkley had to dig deep and pushed Penrith back with 2 good lineouts resulting in Magee rounding 3 defenders to put Ilkley level at 24 - 24. What a high scoring entertaining game this was!

With the momentum back in Ilkley's favour they drove Penrith back to their 22 and from a lineout Ilkley showed their metal as Matt Tanner was driven over for a converted try. 24 - 31.

Yet again the pendulum swung back to Penrith and Ilkley's debut winger Garrick was yellow carded for a failed interception in a Penrith attack. They were not to be denied and their forwards pushed Ilkley back downfield and from a scrum the ball went out and Penrith's centre went over again for an unconverted try. 29 - 31.

This was tight but Ilkley managed a penalty by Louis Anderson to stretch the lead to 29 - 34. Ilkley were back in control and pressing Penrith back. They had possession but disaster struck as a floated pass to Magee was intercepted by the Penrith winger who scored a length of the field converted try to put Penrith back ahead. 36 - 34. 

A frantic last few minutes saw Ilkley miss a penalty but with Hamilton to the fore Ilkley drove forward one last time with good interpassing and gained one more penalty. This time Louis Anderson didn't miss and Ilkley won by a point. 36 - 37.

This was a very entertaining game for the spectators and great credit goes to both sides. Penrith are a formidable team and are clearly a much improved side from earlier in the season. They will be a force to reckon with at home and should improve their league standing.

Full marks for Ilkley for keeping in the game and taking their chances in the tightest of finishes! Onwards now to Middlesbrough at home. This win returns Ilkley to 4th in the league.