Ilkley 20 - Huddersfield 36 - Saturday the 30th of November.
Ilkley hosted Huddersfield this week down at Stacks Field which showcased pure heart and desire from the Dalesmen. Ilkley’s pack was a captain short as skipper Joe Lowes was required to fill the role of inside centre due to the majority of the regular back line being in Dubai for the 7s festival. Ilkley also saw the return of Charles (Chucky) Ramsey who was brought out of retirement for this game, a truly great site to see!
Huddersfield got the game underway for us finding Jack Hamilton, who has been superb under the high ball for Ilkley recently.
Ilkley didn’t see much of the ball in the opening stages of the game but showed great defensive resilience. Joe Lowes and Matthew Sheard were putting in some impressive and thudding tackles, which created some buzz from the Ilkley supporters.
Huddersfield had the chance to strike first when they were awarded a penalty. They kicked deep into the Ilkley half to set up a well drilled line out. A good driving maul commenced and they gained 10 meters. A runner collected the ball from the back of the maul and took the contact. The ball was quickly recycled and moved nicely through the hands, eventually into the 15’s hands who proved to be a problem for Ilkley all afternoon. The 15, Lewis Workman, busted through the Ilkley defence from the 10 metre line and stepped inside the last defender to take it near to the sticks. A try awarded by the ref. Will Milner failed to add a relatively easy conversion, 0-5 with six minutes played.
Huddersfield were awarded consecutive penalties due to some discipline errors from Ilkley. This found them with a line out 5 meters short of the Ilkley try line with a driving maul moving strongly. Loz Sanderson was the ball handler at the back of the maul who saw the chance to go to the floor over the white line to gain Huddersfield their second try of the game. Will Milner was successful, this time from out wide, 0-12 with 14 minutes gone.
Ilkley were now in favour of the referee after being presented with a penalty from distance for Matthew Sheard to have a go. The flags went up! 3-12 and 18 minutes gone.
Ilkley took the ball deep in their own half from a Huddersfield clearance kick. Charles Ramsey found Will Martindale out wide who took the contact. Joe Lowes then stepped up and took on 3 defenders who bust through to make a break. Jack Hamilton offered support on his left shoulder and took the hit from Huddersfield’s scrambling defence. A great passage of play from Ilkley breaking the gain line and showing they were up for the contest. The ball then goes through the hands to find Will Martindale out wide who puts his head down and finds the line in the left corner. Matthew Sheard hit the post. 8-12 and 22 minutes gone.
Off the kick off James Colclough leaped like a salmon to catch the ball. Max Jones stepped up as first receiver and smashed through the tackles followed by a great off-load to Will Martindale. Ilkley were then awarded a penalty in the breakdown of the play. Matthew Sheard takes the kick and hits the post again.
Huddersfield were soon to capitalise again from a penalty in their favour. The touch line is found and another successful line out sees the ball go from right to left. Huddersfield’s left winger made the break down the left wing leaving him with a two on one. Max Horsfall was on the end of the inside pass revealing a straight run for the try line. Will Milner added the two. 8-19 with 28 minutes on the clock.
Huddersfield had a penalty again promoting a kick to touch and an attacking maul. Ilkley defended well and were granted a penalty for an offside Huddersfield player in the maul. Matthew Sheard left no leather on the ball and put Ilkley back in Huddersfield’s half with his clearance kick.
Half time was blown for after Will Milner had chance to extend Huddersfield’s lead through a penalty kick which was pushed wide.
Sam Patterson came on for Huddersfield at half time replacing lock Tom Dalton.
Huddersfield were fast out of the blocks at the start of the second half as the right winger made a fantastic break down the wing. Some great phase play and ball retention took place eventually leading to the ball being back in the right wingers hands. Finn Stewart made no mistakes in using his pace in a dart for the line scoring a great attacking try. Will Milner missed the two from wide, 42 minutes played, 8-24.
Joe Paton made his way to the field to replace prop Jamie Slator.
Some more great attacking rugby was played by Huddersfield. Slick hands and strong carries set up the opportunity for scrum-half Matty Briggs to pick and go for the line. A well worked try finished off intelligently. Milner missed the extras, 8-29 and 51 minutes played. Loz Sanderson of Huddersfield made way for prop replacement Darren Neily along with Fran Entressengle coming off for back row replacement Tom Haywood.
Will Martindale of Ilkley was given a yellow card for his defensive infringement on the try line which could have allowed for a Huddersfield try.
Huddersfield were to put the game to bed by scoring and end to end try. They were on their own goal line in possession of the ball. In attempt to clear their lines they were charged down but quickly regained possession. Quick thinking saw the ball shipped wide to Finn Stewart on the right wing who put his foot down for the try line, a great score! Milner was good with the kick, 8-36 with 54 minutes played.
Robert Siggsworth of Ilkley limped off the field with a hamstring injury which required Jamie Slator to return. Quicker than he was on the field he was soon off due to a yellow card for a high tackle.
Ilkley turned their attacking play up a notch going through around 20 phases of well drilled rugby. Ben Walker gained possession of the ball on his right wing with a pretty routine sprint and dive for the line. Matthew Sheard missed the two, 13-36 gone with 64 minutes played.
Tom Dickinson made way for Ilkley youngster Fergus Ramage.
Ilkley were straight back into their attack with force. This time Ben Walker was given the ball 50 meters from the try line and a lot of work to do, so you would think. Walker put the afterburners on and skinned the opposite winger, stepped off his right to run around the defending fullback which opened up the pitch. A dive under the sticks and an impressed Stacks Field. Sheard got the extras, 20-36 with 67 minutes played.
The remainder of the game saw not much action other than Fergus Ramage dishing out some impressive and thudding tackles to the Huddersfield attackers.
The ref blew the final whistle and a commendable applause for both teams echoed around the pitch. Ilkley gave it their all, left nothing on the pitch but it was no answer to the impressive travelling Huddersfield.
Ilkley make their way to Driffield next week which will be a big opportunity for Ilkley to return to winning ways.
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