ILKLEY put on strong attacking display to put Blaydon to the sword on Saturday, with the hosts running out 43-8 winners.

After some untidy and unpromising play in midfield, the home side were pushed backwards in a scrum and then conceded a penalty to put the visitors five metres out. A drive from the lineout was frustrated with an obstruction and Ilkley escaped with a penalty of their own.

This set the tone for the rest of the game, with the Dalesmen getting the better of the penalty count and Blaydon failing to pay heed to their indiscretions.

Once the opening salvos had been dealt with, Ilkley's confidence levels rose perceptibly, and with that the crowd noise was perceptibly louder.

A quick penalty inside their 22 was typical of the home side's ambition. The ball was sent out wide to find full back Ben Magee at his blistering best and on half way, he delicately chipped over the midfield defence, beat the last defender in the air and made the final ten metres at full tilt to bag a scintillating trademark try. 5-0 after 7 minutes.

The game became scrappy with both sides going close but, either making errors or, in Blaydon’s case, continuing to get the wrong side of Mr Robson’s accurate and astute judgement.

Charlie Morgan added three penalty goals to Blaydon’s one in an outbreak of high tackles one of which saw Ollie Ham take an enforced 10 minutes in the sin-bin. Jack Popely took his place up front and the excellent Jordan Cummins had to give way for a short rest. Ilkley ended the half restored to full complement but defending their line for a good five minutes. Once again the defensive line held strong, as it has all season.

14-3 at the interval was satisfactory but probably not enough against a side that had put 50 points past Ilkley earlier in this topsy turvy season.

The visitors then saw one of their players penalised for a high tackle and then sent to the sin-bin, and Charles Morgan slotted that penalty. 17-3.

Then he made a great clearance to half way and Ilkley turned over the resulting lineout ball. Marlow to Jones, to inspirational skipper Joe Lowes and through a gap on the 22 to score the killer blow try. Morgan added the extras. 24-3.

Just when it seemed the Dalesmen were moving into overdrive they were called upon to man their defences once again. The immense Adam Booth turned over what looked certain to be a score. A relieving penalty followed but back came Blaydon. Several more sorties were repelled but finally the opening came for Alex Dodds and the boys from Blaydon were back with just a sniff. 24-8. 22 minutes to play.

It took another show of brilliance from Magee to knock the stuffing out of the visitors. Taking a kick into his half at blistering speed he burst through the first line of defence, saw another gap in the second line and made all to score under the posts. 31-8.

Ilkley were now unstoppable and Walker darted over after some great work from Magee to put the hosts 36-8 ahead with ten minutes left.

Lowes put the finishing touches on a great team performance by sealing his brace try, to wrap up a 43-8 victory. Five league points sends the Dalesmen into the heady heights of sixth place in this tough North one East league.

Technically the two bottom clubs, Pontefract and Doncaster Phoenix can still catch Ilkley, but this result will have them looking up at Alnwick who are just two points above in fifth place.

ILKLEY’s 2nd XV put up a brave show at West Leeds but were just edged out 31-17.