ILKLEY were comfortable 52-0 winners over Wilmslow in North Premier, scoring eight unanswered tries on a sun-drenched day at Stack’s Field.

Max McKay was Ilkley’s hero, claiming the first four tries before half-time.

The visitors’ forwards initially looked dangerous, applying pressure with some powerful early moves.

However, Ilkley No 8 McKay latched on to a good pass from Struan Connor in the ninth minute after the full back smashed a hole in the Wilmslow defence, McKay going over beside the posts. Chuckie Ramsey’s conversion attempt drifted wide.

Ilkley were made to work hard despite their opponents' position at the foot of the table.

This paid off with an almost identical try for McKay to his first, Ramsey this time being successful with the kick to make it 12-0 after 18 minutes.

Wilmslow then exacted a sustained period of pressure, with some heavy tackling, powerful scrummages and mauls, and inventive back play, particularly from fly half Elliot Rowe.

But the visitors could not manage to convert the pressure into points, nor break through a tough Ilkley defence.

Powerful centre Blake Morgan set up McKay’s hat-trick try in the 35th minute, converted by Ramsey to leave the visitors trailing 19-0.

McKay singlehandedly secured his side’s bonus point before half-time with a fourth try - all carbon copies - and the conversion was straightforward.

A score-line of 26-0 failed to paint a true likeness of the game, but Wilmslow struggled to take their chances.

Young lock Charlie Gardener came off the bench for the visitors at half-time to make several strong runs, but these efforts, in a scrappy ten-minute period after the break, were outshone by Ilkley’s backs.

Archie Elgood, a product of Ilkley’s youth system, was highly impressive with sharp breaks on the wing.

Fullback Struan Connor burst through for his 17th try of the season on 66 minutes, Ramsey’s conversion going wide as the hosts led 31-0.

Wilmslow No 8 Alex Taylor was shown a yellow shortly after for illegally ripping the ball away, and Ilkley took full advantage.

Connor set up Ramsey for his fourth try of the season beneath the posts on 75 minutes, which he converted.

Then followed the try of the match – a brilliantly-timed pass from centre JH Johnson to Connor sliced open the Wilmslow defence and he put Elgood in for his debut try. Connor added his second shortly after to take the total above 50.

Ilkley coach Jimmy Lowes said: “It’s always hard playing a team that has nothing to lose and are bottom of the table, but the lads weathered the storm well and produced some good rugby.”