Driffield 17 – 10 Ilkley : Saturday, 7 December 2024

Both teams started the day nearer to the relegation zone that they would have preferred, both on 22 points, so a win was vital to both.

14:17: Ilkley kicked off, in appalling conditions with the wind coming from the north and blowing straight across the pitch.

14:24: There was non-stop action for the first five minutes, with both teams keeping it tight.

14:24: Ilkley were awarded a penalty just outside the Driffield 22, for not releasing the tackled player.  They went for the posts on a difficult kicking day, but missed to the right.  This allowed Driffield to get the ball back and clear their lines.

14:30: Driffield were awarded a penalty in the mid-field and kick to corner.  From the resulting line out and catch-and-drive they rolled on, but Ilkley stopped the drive illegally and the referee awarded a penalty try. D7 – 0 I

14:33: Good pressure from Ilkley gave them a lineout in the Driffield 22.  The defenders claimed the ball back and cleared well as the heavens opened

14:35: Ilkley returned to attack and were given a penalty on the Driffield 22 for a high tackle.  They kicked for goal, successful this time, to narrow the gap. D 7 – 3 I

14:45: Ilkley held up over the Driffield line following a break through the middle, giving Driffield the drop-out

14:46: Ilkley attacked straight back and get a scrum in front of the sticks from a knock-on in the tackle

14:48: Driffield got a let-off when the resulting attack was halted by a knock-on by Ilkley just two meters out following good defence by Driffield

14:50: Driffield cleared their lines well, and kicked for touch between the 22 and half way. At the Ilkley lineout, Driffield stole the ball, and won a penalty, kicked to touch

14:53: Unfortunately, Driffield knocked-on in the lineout, giving Ilkley the scrum. Driffield infringed, giving Ilkley a penalty

14:55: The Ilkley touch failed to find touch and Driffield cleared back to their 10.

14:57: Driffield won a free kick, and Rix tapped and went making good yards before being halted.

14:59: Half time, and both sides headed to the changing rooms for some shelter from the dreadful conditions

15:12: Both sides returned to the park in dry kit, with Ilkley now changed from their red kit to black. Driffield kicked off the half

15:16: In appalling conditions, with most spectators having sought refuge in the clubhouse, Napier broke from half way, straight up the middle of the park, to score the try but the conversion was missed. D 12 – 3 I

15:20: Ilkley came back at Driffield, pressing their line, but the attack faltered and Driffield were able to clear their lines once more

15:22: Almost from nothing, Barr found the smallest of gaps and went 30 yards to score and extend the lead. The conversion was missed. D 17 – 3 I

15:30: Ilkley work their way slowly up the park, eventually reaching the Driffield 22

15:31: At an Ilkley scrum 20 out, Driffield pinched the ball allowing them to, once again, clear their lines

15:34: Ilkley returned to attack, slowly grinding their way up the park

15:35: Their efforts were wasted when they give away a penalty, and a further ten yards for back-chat to the referee. By now, the new dugouts were the only place at Kelleythorpe offering any shelter at all

15:38: Driffield were awarded a penalty on the Ilkley 22, and went for touch – not only would the kick be unlikely to hit its target into the 40 mile an hour winds, but it offered a chance for a bonus point fourth try from a lineout

15:40: The tactic did not work, and Driffield spun the ball left looking for other opportunities. Driffield were awarded a scrum and won the ball, but Ilkley pushed them back five with apparent ease, Driffield studs leaving straight lines in the sodden and slippery pitch.

15:43: There were several more Driffield scrums on the Ilkley 22 and, on one occasion, it was Ilkley’s turn to be driven back

15:44: Driffield were awarded a penalty 10 out on the left, and went for the quick tap. It was not taken cleanly and the Ilkley scrum half collected it and raced down their right wing, almost the full length of the park, to score under the sticks, converted. D 17 – 10 I

15:51: The full time whistle went, to applause from many of the players who were delighted at the chance to get out of the dreadful weather

The win meant that the two teams swapped positions in the league table, still closer to the bottom of the table than they would want to be in this competitive league.

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