REPORT BY: HARRY SMITH

ILKLEY hosted Huddersfield on Saturday at Stacks Field and it was a showcase of pure heart and desire from the Dalesmen.

Ilkley’s pack was a captain short as skipper Joe Lowes was required to fill the role of inside centre due to the majority of the regular back line being in Dubai for the 7s festival. Ilkley also saw the return of Charles Ramsey who was brought out of retirement for this game.

Huddersfield had the chance to strike first when they were awarded a penalty. They kicked deep into the Ilkley half to set up a well drilled line out. A good driving maul commenced and they gained ten metres.

The ball was worked to Lewis Workman, who busted through the Ilkley defence and stepped inside the last defender to take it near to the sticks. A try was awarded by the referee. Will Milner failed to add a relatively easy conversion, making it 5-0 to the visitors with six minutes played.

Huddersfield were awarded consecutive penalties due to a number of discipline errors from Ilkley. This found them with a line out five metres short of the Ilkley try line with a driving maul moving strongly. Loz Sanderson was the ball handler at the back of the maul who saw the chance to go to the floor over the white line to gain Huddersfield their second try of the game. Will Milner was successful, this time from out wide, 12-0 with 14 minutes gone.

Ilkley were now in favour of the referee after being presented with a penalty from distance for Matthew Sheard to have a go. The flags went up and Ilkley reduced the scoreline to 12-3 in favour of the visitors.

The hosts were soon on the scoreboard again, as Will Martindale who darted across in the whitewash to score in the left corner. Matthew Sheard hit the post from his conversion attempt making 12-8 to the visitors in the process.

Huddersfield were soon to capitalise again from a penalty in their favour. The touchline was found and another successful line out saw the ball go from right to left. Huddersfield’s left winger played the ball inside to Max Horsfall, who ran straight for the line to score. Will Milner added the two, making it 19-8.

Huddersfield were fast out of the blocks at the start of the second half with their right winger making a fantastic break. Some great phase play and ball retention took place eventually leading to the ball being back in the right winger's hands. Finn Stewart made no mistakes in using his pace in a dart for the line scoring a great attacking try. Will Milner missed the two from wide, making it 24-8 to Huddersfield.

Some more great attacking rugby was played by Huddersfield. Slick hands and strong carries set up the opportunity for scrum-half Matty Briggs to pick and go for the line; a well worked try finished off intelligently. Milner missed the extras; 29-8 to the visitors.

Will Martindale of Ilkley was given a yellow card for his defensive infringement on the try-line which could have allowed for a Huddersfield try.

Huddersfield were to put the game to bed by scoring an end to end try. They were on their own goal line in possession of the ball. In attempt to clear their lines they were charged down but quickly regained possession. Quick thinking saw the ball shipped wide to Finn Stewart on the right wing who put his foot down for the try-line to score. Milner was good with the kick, making it 36-8 to Huddersfield with 54 minutes played.

Ilkley turned their attacking play up a notch, and Ben Walker scored a late brace to reduce the deficit to 36-20, which was the end scoreline at full-time.

Ilkley make their way to Driffield this weekend which will be a big opportunity for Ilkley to return to winning ways.