Ilkley 33 Kendal 15

ILKLEY earned a fine comeback home victory against Kendal in the North Premier League, starting this season's campaign as they had finished their previous one.

Their side showed no fewer than six changes from the team that had demolished their Cumbrian opponents on that sunny April day though.

Ben Magee, Josh Hall and Pat Atkinson have been replaced respectively by Charles Ramsay, Struan Connor and J-H Johnson, with the latter's number eight berth going to Max McKay.

New signing Andy Dixon appeared at scrum-half, with fellow recruit Luke Pearson in the back-row. Chris Gemmel on the bench completed the line-up changes.

Ilkley had much the better of the opening encounters and put the first points on the board when Stephen Burns powered his way over. Charles Morgan’s kick made it 7-0 to Ilkley.

The visitors hit straight back with a well-struck Glen Weightman penalty and Ilkley lost ground again after losing a lineout.

Kendal took full advantage and scored a well-worked try through flanker Stephen Nelson. Weightman added the extras to put his side 10-7 ahead.

Ilkley brushed this setback aside though and started to take control of the game. It was therefore no surprise when Tom Milner took full advantage of some poor tackling to finish off a textbook move. Morgan's kick put the hosts 14-10 up.

The first half came to an end after both sides had stolen a lineout from each other but Ilkley managed to retain their four-point advantage.

Kendal put Ilkley under immense pressure from the start of the second half and duly won a couple of penalties. Morgan eventually saw yellow after an over-robust observation of the referee's interpretation of the laws.

This period of play led to Kendal’s second and last try of the day, as winger Nick Carlton took full advantage of the missing man to scoot over in the corner. Weightman’s conversion missed, but the visitors were ahead by a point.

But that was it from their point of view, as Ilkley stepped up a gear. The returning Morgan rifled a penalty into the Kendal half, and following some great hands by the backs after the lineout was won, Milner went over for his second try.

Morgan's successful conversion put the hosts six points ahead and both sides went hammer and tongs at each other, pushing for the victory, providing an entertaining and nerve-wracking last twenty minutes.

Errors galore came from both sides, but then came the killer blow. Having withstood a prolonged Kendal attack, a magnificent long kick by Morgan earned a line-out 10m from the Kendal line, as the visiting defence had to scramble the ball into touch.

A catch and drive led to a touchdown from Peter Erskine for the bonus point try and Morgan’s conversion made it 28-15 to ensure an unassailable lead.

Indeed, just as Ilkley had suffered after Morgan’s 10 minutes on the touchline, so did Kendal after replacement Alistair Thompson was carded for a dangerous tackle at the kick-off.

Ilkley took full advantage. In an attempt to break out from their own 22, Kendal coughed up a ball to the resolute Ilkley attack and Ramsay crashed in on the right wing for a well taken try.

Morgan’s kick came back off the post, but 33-15 was a fine opening day result, although next week sees an away match at Sandal, against whom the Dalesmen lost twice last season.

A reversal of those fortunes would be welcome, not least because the following home match is against a resurgent Kirkby Lonsdale, who have signed several talented Cumbrians in the close season.