ILKLEY drew 13-13 with Alnwick on a bright, sunny and warm Saturday afternoon at Stacks Field, writes Andrew Munro.

Expectations were high following last week’s superb win over Heath but Alnwick had their own plan and soon made it clear that they had come to win. They kept possession and put Ilkley under pressure for over 10 minutes continually attacking and involving their whole side. It is to Ilkley’s credit that they kept Alnwick from crossing their line and, indeed, held the Alnwick scrum and pushing them back on occasions.

An scrum gave Ilkley the chance to put Alnwick under pressure but no ground was made and a turnover to Alnwick led to a return of pressure in their half as the visitors moved closer to the Ilkley line. Finally, Number 7 Ali Blackett went over for a try, converted by Evan Moir.

Despite the kick off going out of play, Ilkley won the resulting scrum, followed by a penalty to move Ilkley into the Alnwick half. Lineout possession was gained followed by a penalty against Alnwick for not rolling away from the ruck. Charles Morgan converted to put Ilkley on the scoreboard. Ilkley tried hard to put Alnwick under pressure but kept losing possession which was proving costly as time moved on. They had two scoring chances but crucially handling let them down.

Alnwick’s catch and drives at the lineouts were repelled by Ilkley reflecting Tom Hick’s good forward coaching. Alex Powell suffered a foot injury and was replaced by Callum Graham before half time. He made an immediate impact with his strong direct running.

The second half saw Ilkley come out with Matty Sheard at scrum half and he got the backs moving more convincingly. A good move in the backs released Ben Walker but he was brought back for a forward pass. He then put in another great run to put Harry Harrison away but another judged forward pass meant no score.

Ilkley were keeping the ball more and putting pressure on Alnwick and this was kept up with Rob Sigsworth replacing Jamie Slator who came off with a foot injury. From loose play the hosts charged forward. A lineout was won and an Ilkley charge gained a penalty converted by Morgan., making the score 7-6.

Alnwick never gave up putting pressure on Ilkley even though this was less than the first half. Such a period led to an Alnwick penalty converted by their fly half to make it 10-6.

Time was slipping away but Ilkley kept trying and from the kick off Ilkley won the ball and ran the it downfield when Harry Harrison burst through the Alnwick defence and fed Ben Walker who scored almost under the sticks. Matty Sheard coolly converted and Ilkley were 13-10 in front for the first time with 10 minutes to go. This seemed to last a long time as Ilkley kept possession as Alnwick strove to win the game. They finally got a penalty just outside the Ilkley 22 converted by Moir.

Ilkley made no mistake for the remaining minutes keeping possession and Sheard trying a drop goal to win the game.

Not a game for the Ilkley faint of heart but a fair result in the end although with at least 65 per cent of the ball perhaps Alnwick should have made sure of the win. For Ilkley, if they can get two points from a game in which they did not play well except in flashes and with five changes from last week’s squad then that says something about their character.

A tough away game at Percy Park awaits next Saturday.