The last match of the year and one for the Dalesmen to forget. Despite scoring four sparkling tries, team discipline was left on the bus and Sandal took full advantage, belying their lowly position in the league. An astonishing 11 penalties were awarded against Ilkley in the first half alone, compared to just the 1 against Sandal. Matters improved somewhat in the second half, but the ratio was still 7 to 4 and there is no doubt that the game was lost for that reason.Ilkley did well to soak up...

Ilkley got the second half of the season away off to a good start with a solid win against a lively Kendal side, the first of what is hoped to be a few doubles, having won the away fixture 24-27 back in September.  Still not at full strength, missing Magee, Morgan and Harrison, this was a great result for the squad as a whole and fourth spot in the league was maintained.  Ilkley made a great start and when a promising move was halted by a high tackle, the resultant line out enabled the pack...

So, half way through the season now and the Dalesmen remain in 4th position, despite losing their third game to a top three side, at the hands of a very slick Alnwick outfit. Still not at full strength and in some truly awful weather conditions, the Dalesmen can thank Louis Anderson’s boot for gaining a solitary losing bonus point, as he converted Harry Harrison’s try a long way out on the left wing with five minutes to play. Anderson had already hit the post twice and with referee Sam Potts...