AFTER last week’s assertive victory against Selby, Ilkley travelled to York with some optimism, despite there being no fewer than six changes from last week’s selection.

Such disruption makes putting out a settled side very difficult and it proved to be Ilkley’s undoing, York running in four tries to the visitors’ one.

Referee Tom Hurdley issued three yellow cards in the first half, two to Ilkley and one to York - at one time, Ilkley were down to 13 men and York stormed into a 17-0 lead.

It seemed a long time before Ilkley’s attack finally showed what they were capable of and their only try of the game was scored by Ben Walker, whose speed enabled him to get to the ball first after a clever kick ahead by debutant wing Aaron Jones-Bishop. Charles Morgan added the extras, but unfortunately that was it and the half finished 17-7 to York.

York were able to soak up all the Dalesmen could throw at them in the second half and indeed scored another two tries, one of which came after a seemingly blatant knock-on.

The bonus-point try had a certain inevitability about it, giving a final score of a slightly flattering 29-7 to the third-placed Minstermen.

Ilkley have a week off before yet another must win game. This is home to Blaydon, currently lying one place below Ilkley. Along with Selby losing again, the Tynesiders also lost, but Alnwick pulled off a great win against Huddersfield and the bottom four are now all within touching distance of each other.