No joy for Alnwick rugby on the road at Ilkley

ILKLEY 23ALNWICK RFC 7Having beaten Ilkley handsomely both home and away last season, and with the Yorkshire club propping up the league, Alnwick may have felt some confidence when visiting Stack’s Field last Saturday.
Action from Saturday's game at Ilkley.Action from Saturday's game at Ilkley.
Action from Saturday's game at Ilkley.

There was an early opportunity for Alnwick to put points on the board but Callum Burn pulled his penalty kick wide. Ramsey, on the other hand kicked Ilkley ahead with Alnwick being penalised for not releasing. 3-0. With the home side penalised on their 22, Alnwick chose to back their forwards and go for touch. The ensuing 5m maul found Ilkley off-side, Alnwick again going for a catch and drive only to be penalised at the lineout.

Conversely, Ilkley were happy to take the points when opportunity arose as it did on 25 minutes. 6-0. At the restart, Alnwick put up a high ball which Courty courageously gathered without taking his eye off the ball for one second.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Unfortunately, Alnwick were finding it difficult to make progress with Ilkley’s second row King and openside Lowes instrumental in thwarting their attempts.

Play was now largely in the visitors half of the field and it was not surprising when Ilkley nudged further ahead. 9-0 at half time.

The worst possible start to the second half saw Alnwick wing drop a pass for Ilkley’s Lowes to hoover up and put Johnson away to score under the posts 16-0. The home side seemed out of sight when they went over from a 5m lineout to make the score 23-0.

With Michie, Sutheran and Connor on Alnwick did their best to peg back the score but were frustrated with every effort. A great chase by Moralee forced an Ilkley knock on 10m out, resulting in a homeside infringement preventing a score on the line. Alnwick were awarded only a 5m scrum when the giving of a yellow card to the Ilkley offender could have possibly resulted in a penalty try. Alnwick were on top at this stage and they deservedly got a converted try through no. 8 Gothorp. 23-7.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Despite further Alnwick pressure and impressive rugby, The homeside were able to see the game out.

This week’s game at Greensfield is against Kirkby Lonsdale, sponsored by Aln Northumbria. It is preceded by a Ladies Lunch, names to Michelle please.

Related topics: