Ilkley 11 - Keighley 10

Ilkley were on balance the more composed team and rode their luck to gain the league points.

In the initial stages of the game both teams were intent on solid driving play and kicking for field position. When Ilkley tried to move the ball wide they were met with an aggressive Keighley defence. The dead lock was broken with a penalty for Alex Brown. Within minutes Ilkley’s outside half Phil Howell levelled the score with a penalty for offside. Ilkley then began to impose themselves at the scrums which forced number eight Leigh Sugden to pick up and drive in order to maintain possession.

The weakness in the scrum and the dominance of player coach Hamish Pratt in the line out meant that Keighley were forced to fight for every scrap of possession, and what possession they did gain was slow, which gave their backs little opportunity to show their paces. Mid way through the half the power struggle was broken with a bizarre passage of play. Ilkley attacking from deep misjudged their lines of running which caused an Ilkley attacker to run into the back of one of his own players, at worst a penalty offence for obstruction, at best a scrum for accidental offside. To the consternation of the crowd and the Keighley players the referee allowed play to continue, the ball was quickly moved to the left and wing forward Chris Baines crashed over for a try. Keighley responded with some solid driving play from the forwards, especially Ian Buckley, Leigh Sugden and Nathan Thornton. However, although they spent extended periods of time in the Ilkley half they were unable to break the Ilkley forwards down, or give the backs quick ball.

At the start of the second half prop Slim Sinfield was yellow carded for a scrum offence, closely followed by Ilkley centre Smith for a second high tackle. In the scrappy play that followed Ilkley’s Howell landed a penalty to stretch the lead. At this stage Keighley brought on substitutes Andy Bennett, Andy Marklew and Craig Spencer. Their experience and energy soon told, an increase in work rate from the forwards and concentration on quicker ball to the backs soon paid dividends, an excellent break by fullback Rob Wilkinson found the McGee brothers with space in front of them, cancelling out the defenders they made space for supporting back rower Tom Lowther to score, converted by Brown. Although Keighley battled away and won the territorial battle they were unable to cross the line. The game finished with what appeared to be a penalty duel, Ilkley’s Howell had three opportunities to finish the game but missed them all. Keighley’s Alex Brown was having a similar off day with the boot, his final three penalty attempts dropped short.

Keighley, with their highly committed young team are still on a learning curve. To all intents and purpose they threw this game away, lacking composure they were too intent on a forward test of strength, which starved their backs of quality ball and in the long run lost them the game. This Saturday Keighley are away at Heath.