Ilkley 26

Otley Tongans 25

The annual match between Ilkley and Otley is played for the Tim Bucknall trophy. The first few games, almost 20 years ago were contested by the first XVs. In this match Ilkley's senior team were up against Otley's third XV. That is a vivid illustration of the effect of league and professional rugby on the two clubs.

The teams were well matched and indeed, they laid on a feast of good, exciting rugby for the sizeable post Christmas crowd swelled by Otley supporters whose first and second strings were having a day off.

Ex-Ilkley star Johnny Burke was the only first team squad player in the Otley side. His former team-mate Simon Smith made a welcome return to Ilkley colours following his mid-week signing from Otley after a number of year's sterling service to the National League One side's cause.

With a testing kick into the Ilkley 22 they were poised to score the opener. However, young Ollie Coughlan was not intimidated. He took the high ball, called for the mark and was away up the left sensing that Dan Nulty was lurking out wide. The ball was coolly delivered and those heels were soon round the defence and clean away for a great try under the posts. Cadman converted to give Ilkley the ideal start and a lead of 7-0.

A further three points were added when Simon Smith was felled by Burke. However illegal use of hands on the ground conceded the penalty. Otley then struck back in a superb succession of phases. Ilkley defended well but fell foul of the inevitable indiscretion. A line-out was followed by a penalty for off-side and Burke showed all his experience in bulldozing over for a try which Foster converted to make it 10-7.

Then Ilkley edged further in front with two penalties following good work by first the forwards to create the opportunities for Andy Hinchliffe and Smith to force the Otley defenders into misdeamours.

Ilkley then had to soak up pressure as the Tongans responded. First there was a brief outbreak of non-tackling which allowed Otley to storm into the Ilkley 22. A penalty took them to five metres out and Ilkley fell victim to a well-executed rumble to take the score to 16-12.

At the start of the second-half Ilkley were caught cold and gave away a penalty which Foster stroked home to reduce the deficit to one point. Gilbert put in one great tackle on the Otley wing Craig Jackson, but from the line the ball was sent first out left and then back out wide right. With the Ilkley defence sucked in, the speedy Jackson took his chance well to give the Tongans a 20 -16 advantage.

Otley now took the game by the throat and increased their lead with another try, this time form a well-won ruck, the ball was whipped out to the wing then back inside for full-back Andy Edson to come charging into the line at fearsome pace to score out wide.

At 16-25 Ilkley looked out of it. But this Ilkley side does not lie down and back they came. Smith attacked down the right, set the ball up beautifully for Coughlan to feed Cadman who sent a long ball raking out behind Nulty. He went back, recovered, jinked and shimmied past the Tongans' defenders who looked with amazement as he crossed for the try making it 21-25 and all to play for.

From the line-out Ilkley attacked again only for Mitchell to be reprimanded and yellow-carded. Ilkley were rewarded with a penalty which was taken quickly and then spilled five metres out. Otley cleared from the scrum and seemed to have saved the day.

With play back in Ilkley's half the ball was worked back by Knight to set up an attack down the right. Suddenly Gilbert had two men to beat.

He rounded one and cut inside Edson to score the final try in a pulsating game. With Ilkley a point in front and only injury time to go a little composure was called for.

But that's not the way in this game and the Ilkley supporters had to suffer two more penalty attempts, both eminently kickable, by the apparently unflappable Foster.

A giant sigh of relief went up when both kicks obligingly sailed wide. Ilkley had shaded it by the odd point in 51.

This was indeed an excellent contest fought out with intensity but great sportsmanship.

It is occasionally pleasant to reflect and remember what rugby used to be like pre-leagues.

l On Saturday Otley visit Rotherham.