FT Score: Ilkley 3's 28, Leeds Medics 2's 19
For the 3rd victory on the bounce Ilkley found goings tough and the visit of Leeds Medics was to prove another test in all departments. These boys are a unique bunch to face on their day, youth and dashing good looks can stretch the best of teams with their fitness and energy being unmatched. The Leeds boys turned up and disappointedly appeared sober and in the mood to cross swords with gnarled legion that is Ilkley Centurions. The warm up seemed energetic and unnerved the Ilkley squad, skipper for the day Snowden practicing conversions to try distract himself whilst tnp occupied the the men. Beside the beautiful weather you'd have been forgiven for suspecting a gathering of clouds. The game set off at a furious pace with the students moving the ball about with energy trying to find gaps in the Centurion Testudo with little luck. Ilkley were just about managing the pace when the big hitting Ben Field was taken from the field with a suspected broken arm from a fierce collision (The Ilkley Physios earning their pay this east few weeks) within minutes of his departure the students were rewarded with a well worked try 0-5. As the half wore on Ilkley were beginning to settle into proceedings with some well worked play just falling short with a dropped pass and poor final decision hindering their incoming reward. Ryan Clark was waving his ward at 10 but the killer blow was absent. A positive note was seeing George Pickersgill back into the formation making some telling contributions alongside Luke Hope Robertson who was fielding everything with gusto. LHR spent the majority of the game probing away at the Meds defence looking for chinks in the armour. Sure enough the students punished the Centurions for the lack of killer touch with an opportunist try to stretch matters to 0-12....Frustrations were beginning to set in. It was clear as day that Ilkley needed to score before the half's end to have something to write home about, step forward Billy Evans Esquire for the 3rd game in a row. Coming in off some great work from his dance partner Clark the centre found his way to the student try line leaving a trail of bodies in his wake.7-12 HT. The talk was simple at half time whether we won or lost would be down to how we dealt with what was in front of us and not reacting to what goes against us. As the saying goes everyone has a plan till they get hit, its how they react that defines them. Again the game set off and again the students prodded away at the line, reward for them was swift 7-19. The game seemed to be slipping....but wait. Sam Davidson and Callum Gallon were getting through a phenomenal amount of dog work chopping defenders and carrying with conviction to try get the Centurions on the front foot. In moments of darkness the light is on its way and so forth came the light....Will Vaughan who was leading his front row like a rabid dog took the ball at pace 20 metres out from the students line and was unstoppable on his way to drag to the Centurions back into the game with Clark adding the extras 14-19. One thing to mention here is Will Vaughans resurgence this season showing his form of years ago that brought him most improved of the season. Things look good, game on. It was clear looking at the Students they realised the Centurions weren't about to roll over, they looked ready to flee. Joe Ambler a new season recruit from Garforth Tigers was about the show what all the chat was about. Carrying strongly through-ought the game Ambler decider to show the gantry what he was about and set off on an arching run brushing off would be defenders like they didn't matter to cross the line 21-19. Nerves were Jangling and Clark was about to settle matters by releasing his formidable backline, a well worked move that resulted in Dave Strong feeding Joe Ambler to crash over in the corner with Clark again adding the extras 4/4 for the gun boot. So here we have it 3/3 wins with the side looking more settled by the week. In other news the unsettled Jack De Ath appears looking to come home following two weeks of being benched at Old Otliensians. The versatile 9 left Stacks Field looking for glory but at what cost?A man of his talents is wasted on a bench. This coming week see's the Centurions facing off with Leeds Corinthians which is sure to be a tough task.
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