Ilkley Fall Short Against Table-Toppers Scunthorpe Despite Strong Effort

3 days ago3 min read

Ilkley v Scunthorpe, 22nd February 2025

Following a disappointing trip to the north-east last weekend, the Dalesmen were hoping to make amends by surprising top of the table Scunthorpe at Stacks Field. As the men in green had lost their last two matches, there was some cause for optimism.

Alas, Scunthorpe demonstrated why they are leading NE1, outscoring the home side by four tries to one. Unlike England’s visitors later in the afternoon, Scunthorpe had a more reliable goal-kicker in Ethan Taylor, whose two conversions and one penalty gave his side victory by 27 points to 13.

Ilkley were under pressure right from the kick off and only desperate defence kept the green wave out. The visiting pack did manage to rumble over the line, but the ball was held up, giving Ilkley a breather, though Adam Booth’s breather was of the ten minute variety.

The Ilkley coaches had devised a plan to keep Scunthorpe’s danger man, Laurence Pearce, subdued in the centre, by selecting skipper Joe Lowes and Ben Magee as centres, but when Lowes went in a little too high for Mr Rhodes’s liking, the resultant penalty took the visitors to Ilkley’s 10m line and this time, the pressure told.

Flanker Eliot Saltmarsh got the ball down this time and Taylor’s conversion made it 0-7 after 13 minutes.

Ilkley started to get in to the game and Ben Walker combined well with new boy Louis Anderson to threaten the visitors. The pressure told and when Scunthorpe’s backs wandered offside, Anderson kicked to goal to make it 3-7.

A high tackle on left wing Harry Taylor earned a yellow for Scunthorpe and the same player nearly increased the Ilkley score, diving over on the left. Unfortunately, Mr Rhodes whistled for a knock on and the score didn’t count.

Ilkley looked good in possession, but it was Scunthorpe who scored next, as another offside decision went against the Dalesmen. Taylor’s boot made it 3-10 just before half time.

Both sides were at it hammer and tongs as the second half kicked off, making for an entertaining spectacle and finally, Ilkley were rewarded for their efforts when the Scunthorpe defence held on just a little too long, allowing Anderson to narrow the score to 6-10.

Ilkley’s purple patch continued and despite a promising move breaking down by crossing, a superb take by Anderson from a clearance kick set up Magee for a try under the posts. Anderson added the extras and Ilkley led for the first time in the game, 13-10 just as the third quarter of the game was ending.

This was too thin a lead to hold on to and when a poor clearance kick was fielded well, the Scunthorpe backs took charge, with that man Pearce eventually touching down. Taylor made it 13-17.

The last 15 minutes of the game belonged to the visitors and whilst Ilkley battled away bravely, the visitors began to look more comfortable, running in another two tries. The first came courtesy of the pack’s strength, Saltmarsh claiming his second and when another Ilkley clearance kick failed to make touch, Pearce’s run set up a try in the corner of winger Lewis Talbot.

Both conversions were missed and at 13-27, there was still the slim possibility of a deserved losing bonus point for Ilkley in the last ten minutes, but there was no further addition to the scoreline.

As the season draws to an end, it would be great for this Ilkley side not to have to look over their shoulders to see which teams are behind them. All teams have now played 18 games with 4 to go and Ilkley have another home fixture next week against Cleckheaton. A repeat of the performance in late 2024 would be a massive achievement and additionally, would almost certainly guarantee survival in this toughest of leagues - all to play for, then.