Sean Crannigan

Ilkley broke their six-game losing streak against Heath on Saturday, as they floored one of the Regional One North East title favourites in a thrilling game at Stacks Field.

The Dalesmen travelled to the Wolds on Saturday hoping to avenge the defeat at Stacks Field four weeks before, when Driffield had enjoyed a fairly comfortable victory.

HAVING comfortably despatched one of the league’s top sides immediately before the Christmas break, Ilkley were red-hot favourites by some distance to avenge their defeat in Wakefield earlier in the season.

AN away trip to Harrogate was always going to be a big ask of the Dalesmen, particularly after their below par performance the week before, but with an astonishing, gritty display, they answered any lingering questions with aplomb.

AFTER a week of emigration weather, there must have been doubt in some people’s minds that the match between Ilkley and Alnwick would go ahead, as the heavy rain continued to fall.

AFTER last week’s disappointment at Sandal, Ilkley were determined to make amends, albeit against a side that had beaten Heath the week before - not such an easy task then.

AFTER the previous weekend’s heroics at Alnwick, there was keen anticipation at Stack’s Field for the visit of local neighbours Harrogate, who were relegated from the National League at the end of last season. Could this be the first time in the modern era that the Dalesmen put one over their derby rivals?

AFTER a month’s lay-off, including a cancelled away game at Stoke, no one would have been surprised if the Dalesmen had looked a little rusty as Joe Lowes’s men took the field.

THE Dalesmen’s renaissance continues apace with a very solid away win at Castle Park on Saturday, home of both Doncaster Phoenix and Knights.

ILKLEY Rugby Club produced one of their best performances of the season against Regional One North East leader Billingham and were unlucky not to get a try bonus point, eventually losing 39-23 in an entertaining match, writes Sean Crannigan.