Lymm 12 Ilkley 42

ILKLEY produced their best first half of this long season, notching up no fewer than five converted tries, as they set the tone for a fine victory away to Lymm in the Northern Premier.

The Cheshire outfit fought back courageously in the second half, but failed to make a real dent in Ilkley's advantage. A Pat

Atkinson hat-trick ensured that Ilkley ran out comprehensive 42-12 winners.

Ilkley started poorly though, and their defence gifted the first try of the day to the hosts. A speculative high kick into the Ilkley half was well fielded, but Charles Morgan’s clearance kick was charged down.

J-H Johnson was on hand to clear up, but a shuddering tackle from the oncoming Lymm back-row dislodged the ball and an eager Matty Connelly pounced to touch down under the posts, Scott Redfern adding the extras.

The ensuing 38 minutes produced an outstanding display of rugby by Ilkley though. A patient build up involving the whole team produced a superb try, Ben Magee feeding Atkinson for his first, right under the posts.

Lymm flanker Jake Ashall’s high tackle on Johnson earned a yellow and Ilkley profited instantly, Morgan’s penalty taking his side into the opposition 22. A good line-out and there was Pat Power supporting his stand-off to score Ilkley’s second.

Another patient build up led to a beautifully worked try with Tom Milner going in under the posts. Morgan’s third conversion made it 21-7 to the away side.

Lymm saw yellow again as a desperate Ali Sutherland was adjudged to have deliberately knocked on.

His side were punished as Ilkley won the scrum and put Atkinson in for his second. That was converted to ensure a bonus point for the away side.

The home team suffered again after great interplay from Ilkley led to a line-out 15m from the Lymm line. A short throw and a training night practice move saw Harry Wales take the one-two pass and scamper over.

Ilkley successfully defended a late penalty and line-out and the half finished with the Dalesmen 35-7 ahead.

Lymm then demonstrated that their league position hadn’t been achieved by fluke when Ilkley’s defence was penalised under the posts, and they opted for a scrum. The ball was moved left for flanker Adam Bray to score out wide.

That try completed Lymm’s scoring though and the remaining half hour saw Ilkley's defence on top form. The hosts battered away at the visitors’ defence, but some formidable tackling prevented any further increase in the score.

Ilkley then released the pressure by crossing for another try. Joe Lowes pounced on a mistake, before running 30m and offloading to Johnson, who in turn fed Atkinson for his third, taken in flamboyant style.

Morgan’s metronomic boot completed the afternoon’s scoring, but not the afternoon’s action.

Lymm were trying hard to rescue a point from the match. They were held up over the line and then won a penalty from the scrum. That scrum was won and Ilkley cleared but not far enough.

Another penalty and Lymm were back on the Ilkley 5m line. More great defence and a poor kick by Lymm directly into touch ended their hopes of finishing on a high.

That honour deservedly went to the visitors. Magee’s sortie deep into the Lymm half pegged the men from Cheshire down. The home side did manage to break out, but a defending Magee tackle saved a score and the match was over.

A win at Kendal next week would see Ilkley finish a deserved seventh, which would be their highest ever finish in the division.