THERE was an array of new faces on both sides, as Ilkley travelled to Heath to battle it out on a hot opening weekend of the season.

Ilkley had Charlie Morgan back after spells at Leeds Tykes and Otley at 10, plus two new props in Archie Medway and Jamie Slator and back rowers Adam Booth (at 8) and Will Collinson (replacement) all stepping up to level five from lower leagues.

The Dalesmen started well resisting some persistent Heath pressure whilst the indomitable Ben Magee set the fires burning amongst the large visiting support with a typical weaving charge into opposition territory.

An Ilkley penalty on halfway earned a lineout ten metres out. It was adjudged marginally offline. Heath responded with a scrum, a penalty, then another scrum to earn a shot at goal in front. Chris Johnson made no mistake. 3-0.

Then skipper Joe Lowes took a nasty knock defending the Ilkley line and had to leave the field. The wily veteran Luke Gamble sporting a new sleek haircut replaced him.

More defensive action before some deft back play with Magee, Kodie Brook and Keiran Wilyman combining well to force two successive penalties. A lineout five metres out was cruelly lost, just eluding the excellent Alex Powell’s fingertips.

Back came the Dalesmen with both wings, Ben Walker and Harry Smith looking spritely and dangerous.

This time a knock-on close to the Heath line handed the initiative back to the home side and they they took full advantage of a penalty for side entry, then a clearance straight out to get their supercharged line into gear; full back Sam Fletcher the scorer. Johnson added the extras. 10-0.

Gritty defence wasn’t enough, and this time centre Tom Clough was the beneficiary. Johnson was again on target. 17-0.

Ilkley forced a penalty and they were back with a lineout ten metres out. It was well won by Powell and the rumble was deployed. Ollie Ham went over for the Dalesmen’s first score of the season. Morgan was on point with the conversion. 17-7.

The loss of Hinchliffe after a high tackle and the resulting penalty goal from Johnson failed to take the wind out of the Dalesmen’s sails and back they went as first Heath suffered some of their own medicine conceding a penalty for holding on. That produced a lineout just inside the Heath 22.

Ilkley moved well, having passed through just about the whole team’s hands, they finally squeezed out to Smith who made a good 20 metres to score wide out. Morgan’s kick was just wide of the uprights. 20-12.

With 10 minutes to play, at the minimum, a losing bonus point was in sight.

It wasn’t to be. Heath stepped their foot on the gas and ran in two more tries, the first from a lineout close in which Ilkley didn’t contest. The ploy failed and the try was given.

The second came as Ilkley fell foul of the jackal on halfway and Heath’s forward drive was held up. They came back from the drop out at pace and finally played their way over for the final try. Both were scored by number 8 Ben Stringer. One was converted and the final score was 32-12.

This week another trip faces the Dalesmen. This time to Alnwick.

Both 1st and 2nd XV’s make the long trip.