Ilkley 10

Ripon 22

The sunshine and snow were a perfect setting for this Yorkshire League Division Two clash between third placed Ilkley and fourth placed Ripon.

The ever-present Chris Pring was away so Anthony Cadman came in to scrum-half and Tony Smith deputised at stand-off. Jones and Rogers were out of the back row. As it turned out the absence of Cadman in his playmaker role in the first-half proved crucial.

Ilkley started well pinning Ripon back but they were unable to capitalise and once the blues were given the opportunity to launch their first foray into Ilkley territory the omens were not good for the home side.

First the Ilkley forward defensive line was broken then the Ripon backs were able to run at Ilkley forcing a line inside the 22. This attack was foiled but the long distance clearance failed to make touch.

When will safety factors override ambition? How many times have Ilkley put themselves under pressure with missed touch kicks? This was a prime example.

The ball was collected by Ripon flyer Brand who beat off two weak Ilkley tacklers to be felled just short. No 8 Anderson was in support to go over and at 0-5 Ilkley had only themselves to blame.

The penalty count against Ilkley was mounting. This is an aspect of Ilkley's game which may, at the end of the season, prove to be their undoing.

Ilkley fought back through Bell who was injured taking a high ball and through the powerful Sean Gilbert. Bell came into the line at pace but cold hands contributed to the next score for the visitors. The ball was spilled and hacked on to Ilkley's 22.

After winning the ball back Ilkley made an unholy mess of the clearance under the posts. Kelly bravely stopped his man short but another penalty was conceded and Hook went over to score for an easy conversion. Now Ilkley were really up against it at 12-0 down.

Ilkley did take the game back to Ripon but without the invention of Cadman they were unable to get close. The remaining 15 minutes of the half were notable for missed tackles and a high penalty count.

The second-half started with Ilkley challenging strongly. In fact they looked a different side. The try was quick to come. A great break by full-back Nick Bell took play into the blues' 22. Ripon were driven back to concede the score to the rampant Ilkley pack. Back in the game at 5-12 they were set back by the loss of Andy Pell whose badly dislocated elbow was treated at hospital.

Dave Bussell came on and young Pete Cavanagh made his senior debut with Cadman moving to his favoured stand-off slot, Kelly moved into the back row giving the side a more balanced look.

The Ilkley dominance yielded a couple of long range attempts at goal and a try for Andy Hinchliffe who responded to a great break by Gilbert to force himself over. The kick was unsuccessful but the black and reds were back in it at 10-12. Could this be another return from the dead?

At least two moves took Ilkley to a hair's breadth of the Ripon line but the all-important try eluded them. Ripon were up to the challenge and scrambled clear. Gilbert was frustratingly starved of good ball.

Just when it seemed inevitable that the home side would move in front an appalling string of missed tackles allowed Ripon's Bell to stride through and score. Macara was sure with his kick and with two scores to make up Ilkley's chance had gone.

Ilkley continued to press but cold hands in the freezing temperatures spoiled two scoring opportunities.To compound the problems the inevitable penalty was conceded which Ripon wisely put safely over to secure the two vital league points. Ripon now leapfrog Ilkley into third place.

l On Saturday Ilkley visit York R I for another crucial league encounter. Ilkley seconds continue to improve, losing only narrowly at Ripon so a number of places in the senior squad must be under review.