For the second home game of 2024 York welcomed Ilkley. In the away fixture earlier in the season York managed a narrow victory by only one point and were helped in no same measure by Ilkley conceding 14 penalties in the second half and having 3 players yellow carded.
York were hoping to get their season back on track after 2 defeats since Christmas which meant that although they were still at the top of the table the lead had diminished considerably. They were without their scrum half Toby Atkin who is out for the rest of the season replaced by new loanee Matt Ferguson. With fly half Harry Shackleton also absent through injury, the ever-versatile George Davies took his place. Ilkley had a good finish to 2023 with an away win at Harrogate but 2024 had not started as well with only 1 win and 2 narrow defeats. They were sitting in mid table with a slim chance of been drawn into the relegation struggle.

The weather was dry but with a strong wind and the pitch, as always in superb condition. There was a good crowd including a strong away contingent. Ilkley kicked off and York immediately went on the attack and were soon in their opponent’s 22. Unfortunately, there was a clash of heads between 2 of the visiting players and the hooker was unable to continue and had to leave the field. Hopefully he has made a full recovery.

The next 20 minutes was all York and spent in the Ilkley half and 22 with good interplay between forwards and backs. The away sides defence kept York out but after 14 minutes fly half George Davies from broken play went through a gap to score the first try of the afternoon. The conversion was no problem to Liam Hessay and York had 7 points on the board. They added to the score 5 minutes later with a penalty from Liam Hessay from 27 metres having spent the intervening period in the Ilkley half. Although York kept up the pressure Ilkley then spent time on the ball but the home sides line speed in defence and tackling kept them in the middle of the pitch until a line break took the visitors into the 22 and after sustained pressure and several phases of play scored in the corner. The conversion was missed. The score now 10- 5 after 25 minutes. Play for the rest of the half took place in the away side’s half but all York had to show for it half time was a further 3 points from the ever-reliable Liam Hessay after 27 minutes. Desperate defence by the visitors and poor handling and decision making by York meant no further score even after an Ilkley player was yellow carded after 35 minutes.

The half time score 13-5. The home supporters were optimistic of further scores in the second half.

York started the second half well but were unable to take advantage of the extra man before Ilkley were back to a full compliment. Play took place in the visitor’s half and the majority in their 22 but York could not get over the line due to a combination of solid defence and poor handling and decision making. On a number of occasions, York when awarded a penalty elected to take a scrum when points were available. Eventually after 15 minutes the pressure told and the debut scrum half Matt Ferguson broke from a scrum and ran in from 20 metres to take the score to 20-5 after Liam Hessay put over the conversion. York now appeared as if they had a respectable lead and their supporters hoped that further scores would follow.

The remainder of the game was spent in Ilkley’s half and again a solid, well organised and at times desperate defence kept York at bay. York kept the ball tight and resisted the temptation to spread the ball wide but the visitors relished the challenge of tackling York’s forwards who took on the majority of the work load. The home supporters hoped that the backs would see more of the ball as they had more pace and ability than their opponents but to no avail and as a result play became attritional. As the end of the game approached and no further score appeared likely Oscar Bell broke through the defence to score wide out. The conversion was missed and there was only time for Ilkley to kick off and the game ended.

Final score 25-5 which taking into account a new scrum half who only joined the club a matter of days before the game and the absence of the usual fly half was a good result. There is no fixture next week and on the 17th York travel to Harrogate for a game which will impact hugely on the promotion battle. York won the home fixture and will be looking to do the double.