Ilkley 15 Keighley 3

Ilkley recorded their second Yorkshire Division One at the new-look Stacks Field this season.

A good crowd watched from the impressive new clubhouse as they secured victory over their near-neighbours.

Both of Ilkley’s tries came in the first half, scrum half Kirk Arundale (seven minutes) and flanker Neil Spence (30min) profiting from fine drives by the home pack, fly half Tom Bills converting the second try to add to his 23rd-minute penalty.

Keighley’s sole reply came in the 38th minute from a penalty by full back Danny McGee after he had missed one five minutes previously.

Ilkley made two changes at half-time, hooker Leon Treco (ribs) and flanker Nathan Bland (back) being replaced by Josh Cockerham and Kris Stafford respectively.

Ilkley’s coach Rhys Morgan said: “Things are starting to gell as we have had seven new players since the end of last season, including a centre partnership of Mark Kirkby and Jack Revell, and a new second-row pairing.

“We had three or four other chances to score tries and get a bonus point but you build your team around your defence and I am delighted that we stopped Keighley scoring a try."

  • Full report in Thursday's Ilkley Gazette