Ilkley.............12

Tigers.............12

IN response to referee Garth Dawkins' enquiry whether the match he was about to officiate had any major end of season significance both skipper Ben MacDonald and his Sheffield counterpart were quick to alert him that this was probably both clubs' most important match of the season.

With Tim Bennett sidelined after last week's victory at Roundhegians, Adam Lewis came in on the wing and MacDonald moved to centre.

The Tigers were given an early chance to open their account after Pell was penalised for going over a ruck but Brockley's goal attempt was well off target.

Three penalties and a scrum went the visitors' way before Ilkley could muster a foray into their opponents' half.

That move broke down with a crossing movement and put Ilkley under pressure. Just when it seemed they must crack, the home side won the ball back and Hewitt cleared Ilkley's lines.

Breaks by first Cudworth and then Pring and Widdup had the red and blacks on their opponents line.

From a scrum, Tigers were caught off-side and ferocious rucking won Ilkley the ball for scrum-half Pring to burst through at least three Tigers' tackles to score close in. Hewitt made no mistake with the conversion and Ilkley were 7-0 up.

With their tails up, Leeson made a great run up the middle but somehow the ball was lost and Pring had to make a last gasp tackle.

Two scrums went against the head, first Ilkley then Tigers and still the home side attacked through Merkin. The ball went loose again and Tigers returned the attack to Ilkley's line. Ian Moffatt was prominent in the defensive action.

From the clearance, Sheffield were penalised for hands in the ruck, Hewitt just missing from 45 metres out. Kelly then made a good run down the left to set up a great scoring chance for Widdup, who was unable to gather Hewitt's low pass.

Skipper MacDonald was penalised for obstruction and, after he himself was obstructed kicking through a few moments later, his protestations led to another two penalties against Ilkley and the Tigers were able to clear their lines.

An exchange of probing kicks took place and then, just as Ilkley were sensing a score, Pierre made a superb break to set up a penalty for the Tigers when the home side were caught offside.

Brockley's kick from under the posts was a shocker and a let off for Ilkley but the relief was short-lived as Tigers broke and Holmes set up the try, this time Brockley making no mistake with the conversion.

From an Ilkley attack, the ball was lost in the tackle, it was cleared and Tigers were able to take advantage and Holmes fed prop Chadwick, who ran through and score, Brockley missing the conversion.

Ilkley then went through. Moffatt set up Pring, then Widdup only to be pulled for a forward pass which would have put Cudworth in.

The Tigers were hanging onto their lead under sustained Ilkley pressure, Hewitt had a bomb well defended but Ilkley won another penalty and he was able to make touch 20 yards out.

Ilkley had a five yard a try was the only option, he took a quick tap and bullocked his way through to score the equalising try.

Pring almost broke free a few minutes later and a scrum set up a drop goal attempt that drifted just wide to bring an end to a nail-biting season and a superb contest.

The sight of 15 players totally exhausted but in great spirit makes you wonder what might have been had the early part of the season not been so poor.

To have amassed 16 league points is a credit to all those who have played a part.

It will make the nerve jangling wait for other teams in Yorkshire Division Two and the leagues above them to determine Ilkley's fate all the more difficult to bear.

Ilkley can, at least, look forward with optimism to September and the next campaign.