SATURDAY’S contest between Ilkley and Driffield was Box Office of the highest order, as the Dalesmen ran out 35-34 winners in another thrilling encounter at Stacks Field.

The large and vocal crowd were treated to a spectacle of open running rugby that would have graced leagues several levels above Regional One North East.

Both sides contributed in spades - a tribute to both Ilkley and Driffield coaching staff, and it would be James Watts who opened the scoring for the visitors with a penalty.

The highflyers sitting second in the league might have been expected to build a score from here, but the resurgent Dalesmen are made of sterner stuff these days.

With the Ilkley defence up on just about everything the talented visitors’ backs could manufacture, they forced a knock-on. The scrum was won. Alex Powell made good ground. Ben Walker beat three. Two more phases and the ball was thrown left to Walker for the try. Chuckie Ramsay added the extras, the first of five superb and ultimately vital conversions to set Ilkley on their way. 7-3 to the hosts after 15 minutes.

Next a steal set up Blake Morgan, but he was thrown into touch. Somehow Ilkley won the ball back off Driffield’s lineout. Mr versatile JH Johnson had two goes before setting the ball back for Morgan to pop it up for Rob Sigsworth to dot down. 14-3 with a quarter gone.

Ben Magee then made his presence felt as he and Johnson took Ilkley into the Driffield half but three penalties in quick succession conspired to halt progress.

Driffield made changes at prop and scrum half sensing that their winning streak was seriously threatened.

Magee fielded a kick deep into Ilkley’s red zone and a trademark mazy run ended with a delicate chip into Driffield’s 22 which fleet of foot Morgan snatched from Driffield’s cover and made another 15 metres to set up Sigsworth who galloped gleefully over for his brace to put Ilkley 21-3 ahead.

Driffield are too strong of a side to be daunted by an 18-point deficit and so the final moments of the half proved. They were rewarded with a scrum after an Ilkley knock-on which was so nearly an interception. Number eight Adam Brankley broke to the 22 and released skipper Matthew Jenkinson to score. Watts made it 21-10.

The second half commenced and inauspiciously the Ilkley kick-off was run back from deep through at least three missed tackles and ended up with a penalty on the Dalesmen’s ten metre line. Watts stroked it over. 21-13.

The Woldsmen were now engaging top gear and Ilkley were defending for their lives, but after a turnover the visitors couldn’t prevent Johnson from squeezing his considerable frame over in the corner for a great try. 28-13 with half an hour to go.

Back came Driffield with some great rugby and after a brilliant break Joseph Robinson went over for a rather unlikely and, from the Dalesmen’s point of view, unfortunate try. 28-20.

Ilkley had a rare penalty on the Driffield 10 metre line followed by a lineout on the 22. A throw to the front was gathered one handed by the splendid Pete Erskine who shot past the close defenders to gallop like a thoroughbred to score the Dalesmen’s fifth try. 35-20.

Again Driffield advanced with their silky skills seeing them into the Ilkley danger zone.

Ultimately the dam burst as two more penalties helped Driffield to a try scored by prop Bryce McKinnon. 35-27.

Sam Robson pulled one more try back for the visitors, but that was it. This time the blast on Mr Hurdley’s whistle was welcome. The Dalesmen joyfully claimed a hard fought but well-deserved win.

With Heath (now in second place) to play this weekend and the final home match against York on 18 March, an exciting end to what has been at times a disappointing season for the Dalesmen is assured.