Yorkshire Colts Cup First Round - Ilkley vs Middlesbrough

Ilkley Colts Vs Middlesbrough Colts Away 8th Nov 26

The first away trip of the season saw the colts journey to the Northern tip of the County to play a somewhat unknown quantity of Middlesbrough Colts. Previous years Colts had seen three close encounters decided by injury time tries in three very tight games, so the coaches were expecting a tough encounter on away soil.

Ilkley won the toss and elected to kick down the very slight slope with the sun on their backs. Boro’s defence looked promising for the first few minutes with probes from Ilkley held back. The opposition full back also made a couple of impressive looking breaks that had Ilkley backtracking. Ilkley held out and forced their way down the field and after a quick break from the 10m line and a maul on the try line Centre Tom supported well and appeared to cross the line but the referees laser vision spotted a hand under the ball from 25m and called held up.

This disappointment inspired Ilkley who proceeded to score 4 converted tries in the half. The first was scored by Tom H after a yellow card penalty reacted too quickly for the Boro defence and crashed over under the posts, Reuben stepped up and converted for the 0-7 lead.

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College Drive celebrated his welcome return to the side powering over from 2yds after a stunning break by fellow back row companion Pinky Charnock who timed his run to perfection from 35 m out only for a desperate tackle to deny him the points. Archies great support ensured the effort was not wasted. Reuben the slotted a sweet kick 5yds from the left touchline for the 0-14 lead.

The Boro’s woes continued when Tom H smashed through the defence on the 10m line and broke a further 2 tackles to go in under the posts giving Reuben an easy conversion 0-21. The final try of the half was a silky-smooth effort from Jacob Holmes who timed his break to perfection and eased over under the posts from the 10m line. Reuben converted for a 0-28 half time lead.

Boro did rally after some half time inspiration from the coaches but were unable to crack the Ilkley defence despite getting into the Ilkley 22. Ilkley however were very determined and set up a textbook maul in their own half and managed to dive up over the 10m line where the ball was fed to Reuben who lit the burners and powered over from 30m setting himself up with another conversion for a 0-35 lead.

The next score was a solo effort from Reuben involving a kick over the top a dribble and a touchdown that extended from his own half, another strong conversion took the score to 0-42.

Ilkley continued to add on the pressure a team effort taking them up to the 22 where another sublime run from Jacob at outside centre saw him sidestep two defenders to cross the line leaving Reuben to take the score to 0-49 with his conversion. The next few minutes saw Boro do all they could to halt the Ilkley onslaught, but the team combined well to allow Tom H to finish the scoring with a powerful line break from the 22 touched down 15 yds left of the posts.

Much to everybody’s shock Reuben pulled his kick leaving the score at 0-54. In accordance with cup rules Boro were asked if they wished to carry on as there was now a 50plus margin which with 5 min left in reg time they declined.

A strong start for Ilkley which puts them on course for the next round in three weeks where they are drawn at home vs old rivals Wharfedale Colts. Let’s hope both teams can put out their best sides without the complication of losing players to County duties.

Ilkley’s next league fixture is also against Wharfedale at home on the 22 November, I hope as many of you as possible can find the time to support the young men over the coming weeks.