Ilkley 33 Blaydon 20 - 09/11/2024
Stacks Field saw the return of the First XV as they took on Blaydon. Stacks also saw the return of Ben Magee, which would certainly boost the Ilkley side's confidence. Fergus Ramage was also selected to be on the bench, making his First Team debut, a great moment for the club.
Ilkley kicked off and immediately showcased their attacking prowess. Quick and accurate hands from edge to edge ended with the ball in Harry Harrison's hands, who had a clear run for the left corner. Unfortunately, the Blaydon defensive scramble arrived just in time, forcing him into touch a meter short of the line.
Ilkley won a lineout deep in the Blaydon 22-meter line and opted for a short ball to the front lifter. The maul gained momentum, and the ball was recycled to the backs. A rapid exchange of passes from left to right created an opportunity for Ben Walker, who ran and dived into the corner. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the score at 5-0 after four minutes.
Blaydon were awarded a penalty, which they converted to reduce the deficit to 5-3 after six minutes.
Ilkley responded with a penalty kick of their own, extending their lead to 8-3 after 11 minutes.
Blaydon were awarded another penalty, leading to a long kick to the corner. A strong lineout and driving maul resulted in a push-over try, which was converted to make the score 8-10 after 19 minutes.
Ilkley hit back. Impressively, Ben Magee threw a wide pass to Harry Harrison, who made a spectacular one-handed catch. The lightning-fast winger covered 50 meters of the pitch, stepping inside the last defender and grounding the ball under the posts. The conversion was successful, making the score 15-10 after 22 minutes.
Blaydon were quickly awarded another penalty, leading to another lineout deep inside the 22-meter line. A strong driving maul from Blaydon was unstoppable, and they scored a try. The conversion attempt was missed, leaving the score at 15-15 after 24 minutes.
Charles Morgan regained the lead for Ilkley with a successful penalty kick, making the score 18-15 after 30 minutes.
Blaydon were pinned back on their own 10-meter line by Ilkley's strong defence. A box kick was charged down by Ben Carpenter, who collected the loose ball and, seeing no Blaydon defenders in pursuit, grinned at the Ilkley crowd before grounding the ball under the posts. The conversion was successful, extending the lead to 25-15 after 33 minutes.
On the stroke of half-time, Charles Morgan was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on.
With Charles off the field, Matthew Sheard took over kicking duties but missed his first attempt.
Ilkley's strong defense continued to frustrate Blaydon, with the Ilkley sideline cheering on their team's efforts.
Blaydon showed some attacking intent, with their powerful right winger scoring a try in the corner. The conversion attempt was wide, making the score 25-20 after 50 minutes.
Ilkley's lead was further jeopardised when Charles Morgan received a second yellow card, resulting in a red card and reducing Ilkley to 14 men for the remainder of the game after 55 minutes.
Ilkley extended their lead with a penalty kick from Sheard, making the score 28-20 after 63 minutes.
Ben Magee's accurate 50-22 kick gave Ilkley a lineout on the Blaydon 5-meter line. Ilkley attacked from the lineout, but a Blaydon player was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on.
Sheard missed a penalty kick, giving Blaydon a goal-line drop-out. The drop-out was deep and found Jack Hamilton, who immediately passed to Magee. With space to run, Magee accelerated through the Blaydon defence, chipped the ball over the defenders, and outpaced them to the ball, diving over the try line to seal the victory. A try to be talked about for a long timer! The conversion attempt was missed, but the final score was 33-20.
A great result for Ilkley, and a much-needed one. The team will face a tough test next week against Cleckheaton.
Harry J Smith
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