Stockport 5 Ilkley 49

ILKLEY boosted their hopes of an eighth-place finish in National Three North by defeating rock-bottom Stockport on Saturday.

The home side battled hard without threatening to improve on their solitary league point this season against the resurgent Dalesmen.

Ilkley's young side have learned a lot this season and their pragmatic approach was clear to see when they took the three points on offer when a Ben Magee chip and chase forced the home side to infringe. Skipper Joe Rowntree made no mistake with the kick.

Stockport were unfortunate to lose talisman and playmaker Scott Redfearn with a nasty knee injury before the Dalesmen extended their lead when Pat Power was felled by a high tackle ten metres from the line.

This time they kicked to touch, won the line-out before moving the ball wide for Rowntree to score a try on the left wing which he also converted.

A lack of concentration allowed the home side get a brief look in. Some forceful play by the strong Stockport pack and a yellow card for Elliot Morgan for illegal use of the boot allowed them a score off the back of a strongly driven line-out through their captain Kieran Hibbs.

The try did put some extra energy into the home side, but they were frustrated by the Dalesmen's resolute defence.

JH Johnson, having one of his best games as a number eight, forced a turnover by driving his opposite number back 20 metres.

Another penalty followed after Stockport offended at their own line-out and Rowntree made it 16-5.

Half backs Jack Maplesden and Charles Morgan triggered their side's second try from the restart. Morgan's pass found Lewis Johnston with a full head of steam. He put Magee away to scorch in from 30 metres. Rowntree 's boot made it 23-5.

Joe Lowes replaced the solid Nathan Smith at the interval and had an exceptional half with a couple of outstanding tackles.

Power had to leave the fray with a shoulder injury and that led to Luke Spauls, a hooker by trade, coming on in the back row.

Charles Morgan probed the try line and forced full back Dudley Southern to clear. To his dismay he found Magee on half way. Magee was in full flight and unstoppable. Rowntree converted to make it 30-5.

Stockport's players continued to fight for everything and still they forced the Dalesmen back.

A steal inside their own 22 allowed Charles Morgan to clear and after one of the destroyer Lowes' big tackles Ilkley went back on the offensive.

The ball was won after Stockport made a mess of a defensive line-out. From the scrum on halfway Magee stormed through a bemused defence to feed Elliot Morgan who was strong enough to carry about three defenders over the line with him.

Prop Ollie Holtam, a tireless worker, showed his handling skills when he popped up off the floor to take and make a quality pass which sent Johnston clear for a superb try.

Magee had the final say when he collected the ball deep in his own half and evaded a few failing arms before racing clear to complete his hat-trick.

Rowntree again obliged with the conversion to complete a comprehensive win, which along with Lymm's defeat at Morley, moved them into eighth place.