Alnwick 7 Ilkley 31

HAVING run league leaders Sheffield close and beaten Percy Park away, a visit to Alnwick was always going to be a real test of the Dalesmens' mettle, and so it proved.

Some of their problems were self induced. After a bright start, they opted for a kicking game which was inferior to the one employed by their opponents and led to them being forced onto the defensive.

Ilkley's tackling was also below its normal standards and centre Ali Gray broke several tackles before being hauled down close to the line. There was another let off when a penalty attempt rebounded off a post.

Young flanker Will Coates succumbed to a knee injury. so Pete Small witched to the back row with replacement James Spencer coming on at lock.

Just as it appeared the Dalesmen were relieving something of a siege through a break by Steve Nolson to halfway, Tom Collard reacted somewhat impetuously to an Alnwick player holding the Ilkley centre down and was shown a yellow card.

Containing an enterprising and surprisingly aggressive Alnwick side with 14 men was not an easy task. Thankfully, the penalty was missed, but the let off was brief.

A good Ilkley foray was frustrated by a knock-on close to the Alnwick line. The home side broke out and a well-worked move, aided by some poor tackling, put full back James Bird in for an excellent try which was converted die a 7-0 lead.

Collard's return lifted spirits. Josh Kimber was off target with a penalty attempt but Ilkley's first score was imminent.

Alnwick's 22-metre drop out was fielded and spun out via Kimber to Alistair Monks. He found the Ilkley pocket rocket JH Johnson on a perfect line to score a try which Kimber converted to level the scores.

Alnwick hit back strongly but somehow possession was turned over and suddenly the Ilkley back line clicked into action. Kimber, Monks and Johnson combined to set up a try for Nolson. Kimber's conversion gave Ilkley a 14-7 half-time lead.

The second half belonged to Ilkley although they did have one fortunate let off.

They extended their lead when good line-out possession saw half backs Collard and Kimber trigger a backs move which put young flyer Ben Magee in for a try.

Ilkley appeared to be in control but Alnwick weren't throwing in the towel. A kickable penalty rebounded to safety off a post before Alnwick squandered a great try-scoring opportunity.

Two scrums put Alnwick within five metres and a penalty shot was spurned in favour of another scrum. The Ilkley pack were pushed backwards and it seemed a formality for the Alnwick No 8 to touch down, but he knocked on.

With new wind in their sails Ilkley took hold of the remainder of the game. With 20 minutes to go Paul Petchey replaced Magee. He was soon in the spotlight weaving a dazzling line into midfield. A delicate kick into corner won Ilkley a line-out five metres out. The drive was good and the splendid Small was credited with the touchdown.

An Ilkley knock-on from the restart gave the home side a fleeting glance of the line but their day was run. Ilkley went back to the business end and another scintillating move put Vincent in for a superb try.

Whilst the glory was with the three-quarters, the awards for graft were with the hard-working pack in which front row of Josh Cockerham, John Cooksey, big Jon Hutchinson and Thomas Baxter were immense under severe pressure. Locks Small, James Colclough and Spencer were key to the line-outs and back rowers Steve Graham, Coates and the irrepressible Oliver Renton deserve the plaudits for their heavy graft.

The crystal ball gazers will be pouring over the final league fixtures to see where opportunities and obstacles lie for second-placed Ilkley. The Dalesmen have momentum. Coach Morgan has the job of maintaining it.