National League Three North: Ilkley 43 Doncaster Phoenix 5

ILKLEY all but guaranteed their position in National League Three North for another season with a demolition of visitors Doncaster Phoenix, outscoring the south Yorkshiremen by six tries to one.

Phoenix’s splendid performances in gaining promotion in seven out of 17 seasons seem to have ground to a halt as the Dalesmen soaked up pretty much all of what was thrown at them, including a ten-minute spell at the beginning of the second half when they never laid hands on the ball.

The game started with the season’s earliest try, when third-from-bottom Phoenix’s kick-off went straight into touch.

From the resulting scrum, perennial crowd-pleaser J-H Johnson broke from the base and fed scrum half Jack Maplesden.

Crisp passing to Ben Magee and then Lewis Johnston followed and there was J-H on hand to take the inside scoring pass.

With Joe Rowntree adding the extras, Ilkley were 7-0 up before the many lunch guests had despatched their after-meal drinks.

Phoenix played some good, controlled rugby but could produce little that troubled the Ilkley defence, and when the Ilkley pack won against the head, a couple of overlaps were ignored before Charles Morgan put the seal on the home side’s superiority with a try out on the right wing, Rowntree’s right boot making it 14-0.

Maplesden’s game is improving with each fixture and he was unfortunate when his deft kick ahead led to a penalty to Phoenix as Ilkley transgressed at the breakdown, referee Mike Hurdley taking a strict approach to these.

It didn't matter, however, as a messy clearance kick from visiting full back Will Burden was fielded by Rowntree.

One pass inside to Ben Magee was all that was required as the Ilkley full back wrong-footed the Phoenix defence from halfway before collecting his own chip ahead to score a tad too far out for Rowntree to add the two points.

There was no mistake a couple of minutes later though after Phoenix’s patient build-up came to naught and Ilkley’s counter-attack was halted illegally, making the score 22-0.

Phoenix’s patient approach finally was rewarded when Ilkley lost a line-out and were penalised twice in rapid succession.

From a quickly taken tap, centre Sam Bottomley scored a well-earned try to make it 22-5 at the break.

Immediately after the interval, Ilkley saw nothing of the ball for the first ten minutes and very little for the next ten. However, they soaked up every ounce of pressure.

In the last quarter of the game, Ilkley were looking sharp and it came as no surprise when Ollie Holtham broke the gain-line.

J-H rampaged on and delivered the sweetest of reverse passes to the supporting replacement Joe Lowes, who touched down under the posts, with Rowntree enhancing the bonus-point score.

Phoenix’s riposte was classy enough until Hurdley spotted a sly punch delivered by visiting No 8 Adam Kettle on Pat Power, who had to leave the field for a second time, followed closely by the Doncaster man.

This signalled the end of Phoenix’s resistance and the rest of the game was all Ilkley.

Morgan crossed for his second, after his delicate chip over the oncoming defence was diverted into his arms, and then Maplesden stole a Phoenix line-out.

The ball moved wide to Jon Hutchinson, who dummied his way past the first defender but lacked support.

No matter, as smart handling led to Lowes claiming his second of the afternoon.

With Rowntree having been replaced by Ed Brown, Morgan who completed the afternoon’s scoring, leaving his side 38 points ahead.

With results elsewhere going to form, the Dalesmen are pretty safe now and can enjoy the rest of the season in a more relaxed frame of mind.

This could start with watching the national side winning a Grand Slam next weekend before their visit to Lymm, and there is no doubt that the improving weather and drying pitches suit Ilkley's game.

Sean Gilbert's invitation charity match in memory of his mother, club stalwart Maggie, kicked off the proceedings, and on-pitch half-time entertainment was provided by the junior section.