Ilkley 27

BRADFORD SALEM 8

THIS was a fine win for Ilkley, especially after a disappointing performance the previous week. Ilkley were much more focussed and committed and knew that only their best could defeat a confident Salem side performing well in North East Three and fresh from a good away league win last week.

There was an immediate concern that five enforced changes were going to be a big challenge for Ilkley to overcome especially when they once again generously allowed Salem a penalty kick in the first minutes which they duly converted.

However, Ilkley buckled down well to dominate forward proceedings in the line-out and the loose but more especially the scrums where their supporters were heartened to see Salem's pack going backwards and under constant pressure from the Ilkley eight.

New hooker Dave Kelly won the battle of strikes against the head playing against his former team and prop Shaune Coley and flanker Dave Bussell were constant thorns in Salem's side.

Nick Brook at last is maturing well with each game now and he put in an excellent display.

The rest of the forwards were all close behind.

Half-backs Jimmy Carr and skipper Justin Hewitt pegged Salem back with some astute tactical kicking from the majority of possession won. They were ably supported in attack and defence by the rest if the threequarters.

Tackling though still needs further attention, especially if Ilkley are to make progress in this Yorkshire Shield competition and to win the tough league games coming up in January.

Second team captain George Obank thoroughly enjoyed his day on his promotion to the first team scoring an excellent hat-trick of tries from the wing.

He scooted over after Ilkley's initial generosity had evaporated and with Hewitt's conversion Ilkley took a 7-3 lead.

Ilkley then played some excellent open rugby attacking Salem at every opportunity and Obank completed his hat-trick and a further conversion from Hewitt took the lead to 19-3 at the interval.

Indeed in this purple patch Ilkley were unlucky not to score at least three more tries.

Their lead seemed somewhat precarious at the start of the second-half when Salem came back strongly and they were unlucky on a couple of occasions not to score tries.

Eventually their pressure told and Salem deservedly scored a try by winger Klenk.

However, that was their final score as Ilkley wrapped up the game with a penalty by Hewitt and a try by Carr after Ilkley's forwards had re-asserted themselves.

Ilkley can now look forward with confidence to the New Year league matches.

However, numbers at training remain an issue and this must improve dramatically for Ilkley to fulfil their potential and have an impact in the second half of the season.

Team work is the key which, with the obvious great spirit, will bring a better league position and a good run in the Yorkshire Shield.

Ilkley B 3 Wharfedale 43

An Ilkley side weakened by injury and 'festive commitments' found themselves up against a very strong Wharfedale side.

Ilkley stuck to their uphill task with great credit throughout the game.

Although the forwards held them down in the scrums and line-outs, the visitors running rugby brought the backs into the game and tries followed.

Ilkley's only response was a penalty from stand-off Adrian Cowgill.

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