Ilkley 8

Scarborough 22

SATURDAY'S game kicked off a little late with a strong wind blowing across the pitch from the west, so no advantage to either side.

The playing surface was in perfect condition and a good flowing game ensued.

Scarborough kicked off and Ilkley immediately ran the ball back at them making good ground through the forwards and backs.

Ben McDonald made a strong run on the wing and took play deep into the Scarborough 22, their forwards infringed at the ruck and Jimmy Carr kicked the penalty 3 pts to 0 after 15 minutes.

After the re-start Ilkley continued in the same style running strongly at the Scarborough line and from good forward play Ilkley scored wide out.

Jimmy Carr took the ball from the base of the scrum made several metres before feeding Andrew Merkin whom had a comfortable touch down.

The conversion into the wind was missed, Ilkley 8 pts to 0.

At this time Ilkley's forwards were playing very well containing the Scarborough pack and afforded Jimmy Carr the scrum half the room and the time to control the game.

It was from one of his searching kicks that Scarborough was penalised for not releasing the ball.

Unfortunately the kick was a missed one that Ilkley really needed.

The half finished with Ben McDonald making a characteristic run and a skirmish with the Scarborough stand off, Edwards.

Ilkley's Ian Moffatt was cautioned for fighting at the same skirmish.

Scarborough only had one or two visits to the Ilkley half and a missed penalty opportunity. Half time 8 nil to Ilkley.

Some of the Ilkley supporters wondered why Scarborough was so uncompetitive in the first half, having beaten the league leaders the previous weekend.

It didn't take long to find out.

The Scarborough skippers half time talk could be heard in most parts of the ground and he gave his players an absolute roasting.

They duly came out and played Ilkley's game but to better effect, shoving Ilkley's pack around, pinching line out ball and turning over ruck and maul ball.

It's true that Ilkley held Scarborough for 15 minutes with strong defence, but the confidence that the Scarborough backs gained from the supply of good ball going forward was alarming.

The Scarborough No.10, M Edwards began to run the game kicking a penalty after an Ilkley ruck infringement, 8-3.

Ilkley kicked off and Scarborough attacked but knocked on.

They shoved Ilkley's scrum off the ball; Edwards broke left and made space for I Warwick the left wing to score wide out.

Edwards converted from touch. 8-10 after 30 minutes.

Scarborough returned Ilkley's kick off and made deep inroads into Ilkley's half.

Their forwards won good ball and that man Edwards broke right to put right wing Houldsworth in and Edwards then converted.

Score 8-17.

Ilkley continued to lose their own ball and with some poor tackling let the centre G Lenton in for an easy try.

That completed the scoring Ilkley 8 pts, Scarborough 22 pts.

Where did Ilkley go and where did Scarborough come from?

The facts are that Ilkley won the first half but didn't score enough points and Scarborough showed why they are second in the league.

This week Ilkley travel to Northallerton and hope to do the double over them.

All supporters are welcome.

Reminder - annual dinner March 30 at the Wheatley Hotel.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.