Ilkley 3 Old Brodleians 27

AS the saying goes, a pessimist is never disappointed. On the basis of the last season and a half there must have some in the sizeable crowd but the mood on the touchline before this clash of old rivals was one of optimism.

Brods have had a hard time recently losing their last three fixtures. Surely it was time for Ilkley to produce another rabbit from their hat.

Three of the club’s leading patrons had once again put on a splendid lunch for the burghers of the county, many of whom were watching their first Ilkley match of the season.

Not many of the gathered throng stood in chilly but perfect weather will have remembered it was only in April 2007 that Ilkley had despatched Brods 55-5 in their final Yorkshire One league match before Brods dropped down a league.

The following season, Ilkley were promoted. How times have changed. But fortunes in rugby tend to be cyclical. You never know what is round the corner. There is still half a season to go and no one side below the top two seems to be consistently bagging the points.

So to parody Hilary Clinton, the challenge is to practice rugby as the art of making what appears to be impossible, possible. Optimism must prevail.

Coach Hamish Pratt and the team must gird up their loins and go to Morpeth this week with a victory in their psyche and adrenalin pumping round their veins.

To say this match was a disappointment is something of an understatement. It lacked so much of the good rugby expected at this level, and that goes for both sides.

Perhaps the most remarkable feature was the cut of the jib of referee Mr John Wolstenholme’s shorts. By his own admission Mr Wostenholme is no spring chicken but his knee length grey number were elegant and unusual.

His refereeing, nonetheless was appreciated by both sides with whom he kept a good rapport throughout. His refereeing was being assessed by one of Yorkshire’s finest authorities on the art of adjucating, Mr David McInness.

Ilkley can never be accused of not trying. All 18 involved in this encounter tried their best but came up short against a fairly indifferent Brods side. Full marks for the job done by Pete Healey who took on the propping role with some aplomb.

Once again lady luck deserted the Dalesmen and a 3-0 lead held for a matter of minutes suddenly turned into 7-3 and then 14-3 as, first a line-out on half way was lost to allow lock tom Hanson to charge through and put fly-half Richard Holborough in for a try converted by the sure-booted Olly Ackroyd, then a pass was intercepted by clever scrum-half Dale Gardiner to give him a clear run to the line.

The way back from these two killer punches was always going to be an uphill task. Two more penalties before half-time from Ackroyd put Brods almost out of sight at 20-3.

Ilkley upped their game in the second period but failed to penetrate the solid Brods’ defence and, when they were in with a chance of reducing the deficit, squandered three or four good opportunities by over exuberance and poor handling.

As the light faded the game deteriorated and both sides seemed bereft of basic skills. Brods added one more try thanks to some aimless rugby at the back of a scrum which saw the ball spilled and presented to the ubiquitous Ackroyd to give him a tally of 18 points and seal the match for the visitors.

Whilst the disappointment was palpable amongst the Ilkley faithful, the players will be feeling it more. They know they are capable of better things. Had they played to their capabilities they could have come close if not won this match. This can be said of at least five games this season.

As is usual there is always a post match inquest as the supporters gather in the clubhouse. The debate covers everything - selection, player positions, skills, commitment, off the field activity etc.

One thing is for sure is that everybody involved in the running of the club from groundsman to coach to chairman is doing everything possible to address the playing problems. This is number one priority. Whilst the new development project may be seen by some as a distraction, noone on the management committee has anything else more important than a victory this week at Morpeth on their mind.

Ilkley’s dire circumstances with front row players continues to dog the club. The second team fixture at York had to be called off at a late hour denying the players who did want a game any rugby for the second weekend. This is another issue that will top of the agenda for this week’s committee meeting.