Cowman the difference as Ilkley's cup dreams end

Bradford Salem's Steve Cowman was the proverbial bull in Ilkley's china shop, as the dreams of a Twickenham final were dashed for Ilkley but live on at Salem whose veteran centre Neil Klenk was a member of the previous Salem side to make the final in 1992.

Ilkley travelled to Shay Lane with high hopes of overturning the league defeat of just three weeks ago.

Sure enough they started well enough and at half-time looked likely for the win. Some kind of red mist overwhelmed them early in the second-half as flanker Cowman bagged three tries.

Cowman was essentially the difference between the two sides.

Ilkley's back row lacked real firepower with Gus Rogers absent, having a work commitment. Whilst they battled well they had nothing with which to counter the Cowman speed and power.

Ilkley were first to score after a nervous first twenty minutes during which both sides went close and both were called upon to defend their lines.

Phil Moffatt, who kicked well all afternoon cleared his lines and Ilkley stole a line-out on half way.

Nick Brook got the ball lose and it was sent out wide to Dan Nulty who sprinted clear and under the posts for a Nulty trade mark try. Smith added the conversion to make it 7-0.

Salem replied with a Matt Booth penalty after Ilkley had been penalised for too many in the line and from that for diving over, but at 7- 3 Ilkley still looked comfortably the better side.

Just as they were pressing for what would have been a second try Nick Bell had his pass to Brendan Kelley intercepted by full-back Jeff Jacobs who showed a clean pair of heels to race fully 80 metres to score and put his side 8-7 up.

Not to be outdone Ilkley's new full-back Nicky Howe repeated the interception act, this time on Salem's 22 making it 14-8 at half-time.

Ilkley's powerhouse pack had been dominant throughout the first period but had been susceptible to the occasional slack moment.

One of these occurred early on in the second period when they were pushed off a scrum which tormentor Cowman picked up to score. Booth improved that try to edge Salem back in front at 15-14.

Then the red mist descended. First there was a fit of non-tackling as scrum half Dave Howcroft was waved through at least six Ilkley bystanders to set up another try for the rampaging Cowman.

Smith clawed back three points with a penalty to reduce the arrears to five points but Cowman again punished the Dalesmen after a line was lost and Salem punched down the blindside to set up a ruck from which the unstoppable number seven picked up and barged over. That was 27-17.

A penalty in front of the posts for off-side allowed Booth to add three more but two scores was still within Ilkley's reach.

They got five back as Howe put Kelley in in the corner. Smith's kick went just wide but 30- 22 was as close as it would get.

Salem hit back with Cowman this time laying on a score for young prop and captain Simon Davies to take his side clear at 35-22.

Then, not to be outdone by the youngsters, veteran Neil Klenk swooped on to a loose ball as Ilkley tried to break out of defence and galloped in from fully 30 metres without stopping to effectively seal it for Salem at 42-22.

Simon Smith added a consolation try after Howe, Nulty and Smith had combined well to set up the score.

One felt that with ability like that on the park Ilkley could so easily have won this contest had they only concentrated for the full 80 minutes.

A mention must be given to referee Paul Taylor who managed the game well. Neither set of these traditionally vocal and highly critical supporters was moved to undue criticism.

Mr Taylor is a referee of some experience. He has played at this level in the front row where he was the scourge of our reporter on more than one occasion.

It is no coincidence that the referees who have playing experience at the level of rugby in which they are officiating do a particularly good job.

League rugby returns to Stacks Field this Saturday with the visit of old friends from Settle, North Ribblesdale.

It is an intriguing fixture with Ilkley on six league points and 'Rib on four.

Coach Richard Midgeley will be hoping that some of his injured players emerge from "the black cabin".

He will be working hard in training to ensure that the lapses of the Salem game do not recur this Saturday.

Meanwhile Ilkley's second team played at Bradford and Bingley on Friday evening and came off second best after conceding early points.

It was a close encounter against the second string of a very successful senior side riding high amongst the professional clubs.

Unfortunately it turned out to be a blank day for the third team who boasted a squad of 30 plus players as the Bees cancelled their proposed third XV Saturday fixture on Friday evening.

Presumably the England encounter with the South Africans had a little to do with that decision.