Poor passing costs Ilkley the game

ILKLEY had several clear cut chances to win this game handsomely but a combination of over-anxiousness, poor decision making, bad passing and dropped ball denied them a victory their forwards and the hard working Jimmy Carr, at scrum-half, well deserved.

This was a game that Ilkley lost rather than one Bramley Phoenix won.

Bramleys preoccupation with the physical side of the game remains evident.

However, a well executed move early in the first-half gave them a good try, which was converted.

Ilkley came back and were denied an equalising score as the referee was unsighted at the other side of a scrum.

In the second-half, Ilkley's scrum was sound and Christopher Hearn, filling in at hooker, produced enough ball to give the backs the scoring opportunities.

However, Ilkley's backs could have been better and are unlikely to have such a bad game again this season.

Despite this, they did create two clear cut opportunities to score with Darrel Robinson carving through from full-back to put Phil Merkin away, the Bramley defence managing to halt him just short of the line.

In the last minute a superb break by Carr gave Ned Taylor the chance of score to win the game but over-anxiousness led to a dropped pass and the last chance was gone.

The lineouts were poor because of the absence of a recognised hooker throwing in and Ilkley's possession from this source was slight.

The forwards generally though, did their stuff and should have scored from a drive on the Bramley line.

However, poor decision making meant the wrong option was taken and another chance when begging.

Captain Justin Hewitt put over two penalties to one from Bramley in the first-half.

Next week Ilkley play local rivals Otliensians and look forward to the return of some of their injured players in what will be another tough game.

Ilkley Second XV..............22 Bramley Pheonix XV.............7

ILKLEY once again began this game slowly and were outplayed in the first 20 minutes, although a penalty somewhat against the run of play by George O'Bank saw Ilkley ahead by three points.

However, once the pack decided it was time to start playing, the game turned and Ilkley started to get on top, rolling mauls and driving mauls and driving runs from the back row, good linking between forwards and backs allowed Ilkley to score three tries through Hartigan (2), it would have been three but for a questionable decision by a Bramley touch judge.

Bramley did come back with a spirited performance at the start of the second half but Ilkley defended well and were never in danger of losing, even after conceding a late converted try.

Outstanding performances from prop Mike Noble and the back row of Connor, Connel and Keighley gave the platform for Gray to set Scott through on some penetrating breaks.

Wharfedale ........................49 Ilkley Third XV................7

ILKLEY travelled to Wharfedale a man short as they tackled a club from a higher league.

The first half saw Ilkley share territorial advantage and kept themselves in contention with a brilliantly executed back division movement rounded off with a try from centre Adrian Cowgill. This was converted by full back Paul Witherington.

Ilkley went close to adding to their total on several occasions.

However, during the second half, the excellent running rugby of the home side began to tell and despite some heroic defence by the visitors, the home side emerged as worthy winners.

Ilkley Under-14..............0 Bradford and Bingley ........74

ILKLEY Under-14 came out fighting and for the first 15 minutes rocked Bradford back on their heels with some fine attacking runs by Daniel Soundie but their aggression and enterprise was to go unrewarded as by degrees Bradford took control of the game.

Bradford went ahead with a fine try in the left corner and for the next 15 minutes Ilkley had to dig deep to withstand a barrage from every quarter.

Steven Heward, of Ilkley, bore the brunt of many of these attacks putting in several huge tackles but even these could not turn the tide as Bradford moved up a gear, taking the score out of reach by half-time 28-0.

Ilkley fought on during the second half but never looked like breaking Bradford's stranglehold on the game. Alex Hurst and Chris Dukes came on for Ilkley, each tackling valiantly and there was a promising performance from Daniel Roberts in his first game for Ilkley.

Bradford played some fine open rugby in the backs with several well-crafted tries.

They also dominated in the ruck and maul, but Ilkley, to their credit, played on doggedly to the final whistle.

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