Heath 14,Ilkley 25

Coach Richard Midgeley was mightily relieved as his side came away from Halifax with two more league points having turned in what was probably their least impressive performance of this season.

The Dalesmen move up to third in the table edging West Park Bramhope into fourth place on goal difference.

Heath are in rebuilding mode, much of their Twickenham side of three years ago having retired. Their current style is very one-dimensional but they have the power and quality to have taken the spoils in two of their league games so far.

Midgeley has got his men knitted into a well-drilled, physically fit unit and much credit is due for the long hours he spends in planning and taking the coaching sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Ilkley were missing hat-trick hero Dan Nulty for the trip to Heath. Also out were BJ Fowler and Craig MacLoughlin from last week's side. Ian Moffat, Nick Brook and Andy Pell coming into the side.

Ilkley began in some style looking as though they could control the game and win it well. However, the best preparations in the rugby world cannot make allowances for occasions such as this when basic skills for once deserted the Ilkley three quarters.

Heath had taken the lead with a penalty by Hewison after Brook was rather prematurely penalised for holding on in a ruck - a very marginal decision. This, after 15 minutes of Ilkley pressure. Anthony Cadman missed a chance to reply moments later, this a rare blemish on an otherwise accomplished afternoon's work by the fly-half.

Then Ilkley quickly established a thoroughly deserved lead as Brook sent Kelley away on the right to set up ball for Cadman to feed Simon Smith and Nicky Howe on the left to make space to feed back inside to Smith. He blasted through from the 22 to score under the posts.

Soon after Kelley was well up on a kick through to force the ball loose. This time it was Ian Moffat coming in to the centre who dummied one and ducked under another tackle to score. Cadman converted both to put the Dalesmen 14-3 up.

Inbetween all this the Ilkley backs had developed an unusual propensity to drop passes, make very bad passes and spill the ball in the tackle.

These uncharacteristic errors allowed Heath back as one penalty went wide but the next, emanating from one of these mistakes was good. Cadman soon cancelled that with another penalty, this time as Heath were caught off-side on their 22.

With two minutes to half-time and a 17- 6 advantage all Ilkley needed to do was keep the ball in the Heath half. From the kick-off the touch finder went out on the full. Heath chipped through forcing Cadman to touch down for a 22 drop out. Ilkley were in Heath's half. Cadman had an attempt to drop a goal.

Ilkley regained possession but some of the worst examples of poor passing and a knock on allowed Heath to attack the blind side from the scrum. Winger Dave Fermoyle was too powerful and saw a gap open up to run in a try on the stroke of half-time. The kick was good and instead of a comfortable margin Midgeley's men found themselves only six points clear.

The second period was remarkable for its lack of quality and Heath's lack of good ball. The Halifax outfit only once threatened Ilkley's line in the whole half. That was a ferocious five minutes as both scrums went round 90 degrees twice before the ball was scrambled clear. Both sides had added a penalty but after that Heath never really threatened again as Ilkley Man-of-the-Match Cadman's kicking game took control.

Mike Noble and Gus Rogers replaced Stuart Nesbit and Andy Pell. Rogers added some forward momentum to second phase ball and Ilkley camped in the Heath half with several good scoring chances going down at the last.

Ilkley's powerful front five had worn down the Heath pack and were pushing the Heath scrum backwards. Mike Leeson, in particular had a tremendous game up front.

Ilkley thought they had scored off a rumble but referee Mr Needham had seen a stamping offence, only indicating as much after the try was scored. However, they were rewarded soon after as Brook touched down a pushover from ten metres. One for the front row to savour, this.

That effectively brought the curtain down on a pretty tawdry affair, but if you play badly and win away from home then things can only get better.

Full marks to Mr Needham for his control of the game. It was a full bodied affair but played in great spirit with no unpleasantness.

Not so the performance of the Heath second team who back worded on their trip to Ilkley only at 1 pm.

l On Saturday Knottingley visit Stacks Field. An interesting encounter is anticipated as the visitors were surprise winners at Bramhope two weeks ago. Kick-off 2.15