Driffield v Ilkley - 7th December 2024
Ilkley travelled to Driffield in the hope that they could bounce back from their defeat at the hands of Huddersfield, the Woldsmen lying one place below them.
The weather had other ideas though and contrived to turn the match into something of a lottery. Mistakes by both sides abounded in the wretched conditions, but it was Driffield who scored first under the posts to go 7-0 after a powerful forwards drive.
Ilkley responded well and only some first class defence kept them out until their efforts were rewarded with a penalty just before half-time, when both sides sprinted to the dressing rooms for a warm cuppa, with the match nicely in the balance at 7-3.
Driffield had the increasingly powerful wind behind them for the second half and began to dominate the forward exchanges, particularly in the line-out.
As conditions deteriorated further an error at the base of the scrum allowed the Driffield scrum-half to pick up the loose ball and run the try in from 60 metres out. There was no chance of the kick going over, but shortly afterwards, a decent move in the backs led to another try in the corner, again unconverted, but with Driffield now with a comfortable lead, 17-3.
To their great credit, Ilkley did not give up and their never say die attitude was rewarded when a Driffield pass was intercepted by Ben Magee deep in the Ilkley 22. With two men to beat and 90 metres to cover, the full-back scored under the posts to deny Driffield their fourth bonus-point try. Charles Morgan’s second successful kick of the day had earned his side a losing bonus point - so long as they could hold on.
This they did and the final score of 17-10 seemed to be a fair result on the day. Let’s hope that the return match in March at Stacks Field is played in better conditions.
Next week, the Dalesmen travel to Alnwick, hoping to improve on their draw back in September.
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