Wheatley Hills 37, Ilkley 32

ILKLEY'S second visit of the season to Wheatley Hills came on the back of four straight wins and there was real hope that the Dalesmen's narrow defeat in their Yorkshire Cup match at the end of August would be avenged.

Yet despite the early omen of a rainbow over the ground, it was the Doncaster side who plundered the crock of gold, although leaving their guests a generous two bonus points as their three-match winning streak came to an end.

The late withdrawal of No 8 Rupert Garland meant coach Rhys Morgan had to switch Stevie Graham to that position, moving Jon Hutchinson to hooker and allowing Josh Cockerham a start at prop. Fit-again Gus Ramsey was on the bench.

The match started badly for Ilkley as Hills broke out of their own half from the kick-off and tore through a sleepy defence, eventually gaining a penalty which debutant colt Owen Gillvray slotted to give his side a three-point lead.

Ilkley's response was immediate, although Josh Kimber's difficult shot at goal was missed, following a good break from centre Steve Nolson.

Hills' large pack then showed their mettle and, with Ilkley struggling in the tight scrums from the start, the pressure eventually told as Gillvray danced over under the posts. His conversion gave the hosts a ten-point lead after 15 minutes.

With the quality of kick-offs playing an important part on a windy day, Hills messed up their catch and conceded a penalty that Kimber converted to make it 10-3.

This was followed by a great tackle on the catcher of a speculative Nolson chip ahead and another penalty opportunity for Kimber, which he duly kicked to reduce the deficit to four.

Hills came right back at Ilkley and only a great cover tackle into touch prevented right wing James Montgomery touching down.

But then that Ilkley propensity to lose their own line reared its head. A scrum was won by Hills and No 8 Tom White had the easiest of tasks to dot down. Gillvray's conversion was good and the Dalesmen were 17-6 down.

Ilkley now needed to show guts and this they did, attacking with passion. Hills' response was cynical, first lingering offside and then pulling a man down in the line-out, both of which were punished by yellow cards.

With two men on the touchline, Ilkley took full advantage and Kimber took a quick pass to score, although his conversion attempt hit the post.

Hills came straight back and when the visitors unwisely offended at a ruck, Gillvray put his side 20-11 up.

Again Ilkley swarmed back and when Hills full back Matt Green threw the ball away into touch and was penalised, Kimber kicked for touch.

Ilkley's second poor line-out resulted in a scrum for the defending side but a feed from scrum half was penalised and a quick tap by Graham allowed Kimber to feed flanker Will Coates to score. Kimber's conversion closed the first-half scoring at 20-18 to the hosts.

The second half started with another unforced error from Ilkley with a knock-on – but a great break-out was halted only by the referee judging Tom Baxter to have held on too long. The prop's protestations led to another ten minutes being added to the penalty.

Stuart Vincent had made a welcome return at full back, replacing Jimmy Henry, and Gus Ramsey came in for Chris Chapman.

There followed some good rugby from both sides. Gillvray pulled a penalty when Coates was caught not binding and White knocked on with a try beckoning.

Hills were very much on top in the forwards now and, after concerted pressure, Ilkley conceded a penalty try, the resulting conversion seeing them trail 27-18.

The next ten minutes saw both sides trying their hardest to put the game to bed and it was Ilkley who scored next, following a Pete Small steal in the line, the ball moving upfield via Ben Magee and Graham. Kimber was on hand to touch down and then convert and it was suddenly 27-25 with all to play for.

Then came the hammer blow as Ilkley had to have two players treated in quick succession and lost possession, then conceding a penalty that Gillvray stroked over.

Kimber's kick-off was well fielded by the Hills pack and a sublime offload to winger James Montgomery, deep into his own half, led to a magnificent 50-metre solo dash under the posts and the Dalesmen were staring a pointless game in the face at 37-25 down with minutes to play.

Could Ilkley manage to close the gap and take something back from a courageous display ? There were two bonus points to play for and, to their eternal credit, they went for them.

With Collard bossing matters, a series of penalties in Ilkley's favour eventually led to prop Kris Fullman earning Hills' third yellow of the day and Ilkley's fourth and crucial try, when Josh Cockerham finished the catch-and-drive from the line gained from the penalty, Kimber's conversion ending the scoring.

So the winning streak came to an end but Ilkley should not be too dispirited after this performance.

All credit to Graham, who tidied up so well with his scrum retreating so quickly, and to the rest of the team for not giving up in the face of such adversity in the scrums.

Ilkley retain fifth spot and next face local rivals Bradford & Bingley. The two sides have never met in league rugby and, with the Dalesman defending an 18-month unbeaten record at Stacks Field, the match should be a cracker.