There’s a saying in rugby: “Forwards win you the match, the backs decide by how much.” After a dominant forwards performance, the Ilkley Centurions (3rd XV) came away from Ripon having beaten the North Yorkshire side’s 2nd XV 34-7, taking all five points in the process.
In recent years, this fixture has become a standout match in a packed schedule. Ripon’s 2nd XV were the first team to end the Centurions’ winning streak, which spanned two seasons. Following a dogged performance with just 14 men away last year, Ilkley were on the hunt for revenge.
Under the watchful eye of Stewart Lister, with a backdrop arguably second only to Stacks Field and the sun beating down on a brilliant track, the stage was set for this latest encounter between two strong sides.
As is often the case with 3rd XV rugby, availability wreaked havoc within the Ilkley ranks. 20 available, 25 not, by kickoffonly 18 had made the trip. Bolstered by three Colts—Jack Dobson, Jack Roberts, and Toby Bedford—the 3rd XV epitomised the importance of junior ranks at grassroots level on what was aptly named Ilkley’s Juniors Day. A vastly different-looking backline welcomed club stalwart Callum “Ceggy” Gillon to the starting XV and also welcomed Will Vaughan after his recent foray into parenthood.
Fresh off two strong wins against Leeds Medics & Dentists and Stanley Rodillians, it seemed Ilkley would continue their successful run. The Centurions found themselves camped in the opposition’s 22 to start and looked poised to score. Veteran Stuart McIllraith unselfishly passed to left winger and skipper Callum Clayton for what looked to be the first score of the game, only for the effort to be pulled back for a forward pass.
Not to worry: the game continued in Ripon’s 22, and a carbon copy of the previous disallowed try ensued. This time, fly-half Luke Hope-Robertson passed to Clayton, who made no mistake in the left corner. 0-5.
The Centurions piled on the pressure, with Ripon seeing very little of the ball as the game was dominated deep in their half and around the breakdown. Nothing could stop the runaway freight train that was new signing Gary Coulter, who took the ball from Colt scrum half Jack Roberts and bulldozed his way over the line from 10 meters out, just to the left of the post. 0-10.
At this point, with Ilkley looking dominant after the opening half of the first half, the tide began to turn. While taking nothing away from Ripon, Ilkley lost their shape, and Ripon saw more of the ball. Ilkley’s discipline began to cost them valuable yards, and, as often happens at this level, bodies started to succumb to injuries. With the game now being played near the top end of the hill on the line Ilkley was defending, Ripon managed to score after a quick tap penalty saw their center crash over the line. 7-10.
How Ilkley reached halftime without conceding further is a testament to the “never say die” attitude that Rob Bedford-Collins and Stewart Lister have instilled in this team. The Dalesmen were the happier of the two sides to hear the referee blow for halftime.
The chance to catch their breath and take stock at the break proved to be the spark the traveling side desperately needed after their strong start.
The second half was a completely dominant performance from the Dalesmen, who capitalised on a Ripon side that had its fair share of injuries.
Ripon had the ball in their 22, and by failing to exit, they allowed Callum Gillon to showcase his years of rugby experience as he intercepted fiercely, 10 meters out from the Ripon line. Sam “Spike” Hughes got his just rewards after 50 minutes of hard work playing No. 8, tackling, and carrying well. Hope-Robertson changed the direction of attack, and a quick shimmy created a two-on-one on the right side of the pitch, 10 yards out, resulting in Spike’s try. Ilkley regained a strong foothold on the game.
As tired bodies and minds took to the pitch, Martin Assame, Ilkley’s right winger, had been starved of the ball, which worked to Ripon’s advantage. He proved why on the hour mark. Finding half a yard of space against his opposite number on the halfway line, he stormed past and showed him a clean pair of heels as he raced up the touchline and under the posts.
The game continued to ebb and flow, but the vast majority was played well away from Ilkley’s try line due to a dominant performance from the forwards. As I alluded to in my opening line, the forwards won this game for the Dalesmen, and a strong defence provided them with the platform to play freely in attack. They continued to dominate, whether picking from the base of the ruck or off the scrum half.
With Ilkley camped in the opposition’s 22, 10 minutes from the end, they scored their fifth try through the most unlikely of finishers in the wider position. Fresh off welcoming his son into the world, it was only fitting that Will Vaughan got on the scoresheet. A wide call from the backs found the ball through Hope-Robertson’s hands, then Rawnsley’s, then Gillon’s, and finally into Vaughan’s, who scored from 10 meters out to rapturous applause.
With the game now dead and buried and all five points returning to West Yorkshire, there was time for one more moment of madness (or magic?). On what proved to be the last play of the game, Hope-Robertson smelled blood inside his own 22. Setting up to exit, young Roberts found his fly-half partner, who darted around one defender, then another, and finally a third, before ending up on the other side of the pitch. Totally unopposed from 10 meters out, he was met by the opposition fullback at the opponent’s 22. By this point, visibly blowing and with no imminent support, a neat kick inside from the touchline found elder, checks notes… 56-year-old Nick Roberts (father of young Jack), who collected it in the air and offloaded to Martin for his second try, capping a fantastic game for the traveling side.
The scoreline finished 34-7, which some might argue flattered Ilkley somewhat. However, from minute one to minute 80, they never gave up, nor did their opponents, and another fantastic game of rugby drew to a close.
Comentarios