York travelled to Ilkley with a hope of maintaining that second place in the table. A change of weather, a pitch bathed in sunshine and not a breath of wind and a soft surface, ideal for running rugby, that is what we were to get. Ilkley kick off and we see immediately the importance of Ilkley’s counter rucking, which plays a big part in this game, turning over possession, retaining possession, allowing Charles Morgan to break the line and to score by the posts. He converts his try, 2 minutes gone, what a start.

Then Ilkley have an opportunity to extend their lead as they are awarded a penalty in front 35m out, Charles Morgan misses the chance. The pressure continues from the home side in the York 22m, the ball is moved along the Ilkley back line, a delicate chip kick finds space and a favourable bounce for Ed Brown to latch onto and score by the posts, fifteen minutes gone as Charles Morgan converts. York are still on the Bus, as the Ilkley supporters are jubilant and the York supporters stunned.

Many penalties are being awarded within kicking distance for our normally reliable place kicker. York decide to kick to the corner for a catch and drive, which was well defended by the home team, a tactic that did not work and chances to put points on the board are wasted.

York then strike back, good work from Harry Shackleton holds up the Ilkley defence Jonty Atkinson who skilfully off loads to Tom Woffendin who is in support on his inside shoulder and crosses the line to score. Harry Shackleton securing the conversion. York are now defending well; they have one of the best defensive records in the competition. Charles Morgan then attempts a drop goal, followed shortly afterwards by a penalty in front of the posts which Charles Morgan gratefully accepts. Ilkley 17 York 7.

Shane Goulding is introduced and it does not take long to notice the impact this substitution makes; he is into it immediately. Both teams are counter attacking both fullbacks opening up and running the ball, Ben Magee and George Davies flinging 30m passes, this is entertaining. York are probing the blindside creating danger but the final passes are wild or the ball is dropped, wasting opportunities. Then one such blindside attack sees a missed pass from Will Fordy, the ball is transferred to Zak Burlingham on the wing, who has a lot of work to do to dive into the corner to score The conversion from the touchline fails. Ilkley 17 York 12.

Kym Russell is replaced by Joji Logavatu, who immediately jackals at the breakdown and wins a great turnover. Ilkley are awarded a kickable penalty but decide to go for the corner and show York how to score from the driven lineout. Ollie Ham is credited with the try and Charles Morgan converts. Half time Ilkley 22 York 12.

The Second half starts well for York, camping in the Ilkley 22m, Henry du Boulay breaks the line and off loads to Archie Fothergill with the line in sight and nobody to beat, he is under the sticks then forgets the ball. York are getting back into the game as Ilkley’s poor goal kicking misses keep York in the game, the York scrum is beginning to function.

A well worked try for York who are now playing the phases and getting quick ball, Jonty Atkinson again off loads to Harry Shackleton who scores in the corner, unfortunately his conversion hits the upright. With 49 minutes gone, are York able to turn the game around? We then observe a beautiful piece of skill from Ben Magee as he enters the back line, he puts a ball into the hands of Ed Brown on the left wing who scores in the corner.
Ilkley 27 York 17.

There is time for York to come back, but a series of poor decisions, wasted opportunities and basic errors follow in front of the opposition posts as penalties are awarded and wasted, combined with a good defence from Ilkley. This keeps York at bay.

The highlight of the second half happens while York are pressing hard on the opposition try line. Ben Magee stumbles onto a loose ball, hacking it forward some 60 meters. Is he going to score still hacking that ball, we are now on the York 22m. Suddenly Charlie Rae appears from nowhere producing a dive to his right to take the ball in the air, a dive and a save that Jordan Pickford would have been proud of, Charlie saved the day. A well deserved win by Ilkley.

I thank the Ilkley Club who entertained my wife and I to a lovely lunch and my hosts Tim and Nick for looking after us. Carter Croft.