ILKLEY have qualified for the final of the Latino Ceramics Aire-Wharfe Cup.
They survived pockets of pressure at home to Bradford & Bingley on the way to a 43-6 semi-final triumph at Stacks Field last night.
It was soon clear that the hosts had the dominant pack and they led 22-0 at half-time after tries by No 8 Billy Hickson, lock Pete Erskine, prop Billy Nicholls and flanker Luke Spauls, with Charles Ramsey adding one conversion.
A young Bees side, who were inspired by No 8 Max Mountain, came into the contest more in the second half, but strong Ilkley defence denied them a try, although they managed two penalties by fly half Dominic Walker.
The best try of the night went to Ben Fairclough in the 64th minute after great link play with Declan Jackson and Andy Malley, and a neat delayed Fairclough pass then put Malley over before Matt Burke finished proceedings with Ilkley's seventh try.
Aireborough won their quarter-final 19-18 at Yarnbury Hornets, also last night, courtesy of tries by Nick Jackson (2) and Rich Lister, with Nick Holdsworth adding two conversions.
They now host Otley Saracens.
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