Ilkley v Scarborough 5th October 2013 Having won an impressive four from four, a beefed up Scarborough arrived at Ilkley in more confident mood than recent results would have suggested, the Dalesmen having done the double on their East Coast opponents last season. Their pre-match optimism proved to be entirely justified as they swept into a 14.0 lead, with a shambolic Ilkley first quarter presenting the visitors with three penalties from Matthew Young and an unconverted try by full-back Graeme Jeffrey, who took the scoring pass from the outstanding BenjiCotttie at centre, following a break-out from their own half. At stake lay Scarborough’s unbeaten record and Ilkley’s not having conceded a try at Stacks Field. In the event, Ilkley dropped four places to ninth and the Seasiders remained second, with York losing their first match of the season to Yorkshire One arrivistes Doncaster Phoenix. Craig Barker at ten took over kicking duties from Tom Collard and at last the Ilkley faithful were rewarded with three successful kicks at goal, though it is clear that confidence in this department is still lacking. Barker was injured after a quick break saw him collide with Scarborough’s abrasive prop Nino Cutino and Ilkley’s Number Ten was not the same again. This fixture is not noted for its unruliness and neither side has the reputation of being from the dark side, yet there was enough controversy to warrant some inter-club bickering, not least concerning the contribution of the 19 year old exchange referee from Gloucester. Not for the first time, the home side suffered from hair-splitting decisions that went against them and the last two proved to be decisive. The first occurred on the Scarborough 22with five minutes to go and Ilkley finally leading 17.14 Stu Brewer’s great run was halted by some great Scarborough defence, but from the subsequent ruck, Iain Mackenzie was adjudged to have handled the ball on the ground – a 50 metre gain lost and to the fury of the home crowd. Scarborough’s only try came after a sublime break from theirown half by the excellent BenjiCottie, led to his offloading to supporting full-back Graeme Jeffrey. Cottie had caused Ilkley no end of problems, so this effort came as no surprise. Ilkley’s brace came from the ever-improving Steve Nolson. His first came after the two visiting centres lost the ball in their own half, having stolen an Ilkley scrum. Nolson hacked through and won the race to touch down, Barker’s conversion adding to his earlier penalty when Scarborough were penalised for handling in a ruck. His second was a classy score, 10 minutes from time. Ilkley’s belief in themselves to trundle over from short range from line-outs close to the opposition line was challenged successfully several times by the visiting pack, but eventually, from an attacking scrum, Ilkley’s backs finally put a cohesive move together, skipper Stuart Vincent coming into the line at pace to offload toNolson, who gleefully crashed over the whitewash under the posts, giving his side the lead for the first time, enhanced by Barker’s conversion. Scarborough’s Matthew Young then failed with a long-range penalty, when Ilkley failed to retreat quickly enough and then from a scrum on their own 22, Ilkley won the ball comfortably and broke out, only for Stu Brewer to be penalised for a shirt tug. This time Young made no mistake and he duly notched the kick to bring the scores level. There is no doubt that the Seasiders went home more contented than their hosts. Discounting the first 20 minutes , Ilkley were the better side for an hour, but failed to make their superiority count with points. The visitors’ forwards more than held their own against Ilkley’sand it is clear that the home side have a very limited kicking game. In this league, you have to kick your goals and the forthcoming visit of Selby next Saturday should prove interesting, Selby have never beaten Ilkley in league rugby, but they have a similar wide pitch and cruised through Yorkshire 2 last season, lying ahead of Ilkley in the league now. A home win for the Dalesmen is absolutely essential, preferably earned by converted tries. Sean Crannigan 6.10.13
Posted on: Mon, 07 Oct 2013 07:22:33 +0000