Ilkley 35 – 34 Driffield : Saturday, 04 March 2023

The 1st XV headed to Ilkley, looking to carry their fantastic February form into March.   With only two fixtures remaining, we need every point we can get to claim second spot in the league.  Ilkley have struggled most of the season.  However, they seem to have found some form at the back end of the season, and some talk of recent recruitments, to steer them clear of relegation.

Driffield started in lively enough form, earning Watts a converted penalty after just five minutes to give them an early lead.  Ilkley 0 – 3 Driffield

This just spurred Ilkley into action and they went on the hunt for points.  After 15 minutes Walker went in for a try in the comer, superbly converted by Ramsay, to wrest the lead.  Ilkley 10 – 3 Driffield

Just four minutes later Sigsworth claimed another, again converted by Ramsay.  Ilkley 17 – 3 Driffield

On the half hour Sigsworth claimed his second, under the sticks, again converted by Ramsay.  Ilkley 21 – 3 Driffield

Stung into action, Johnson’s bollocking charge through the middle was popped to the in-support Jenkinson, who went in under the sticks, for a conversion by Watts.  Ilkley 21 – 10 Driffield Half-time

Driffield started the second half well, earning Watts a converted penalty after just two minutes to narrow the gap.  Ilkley 21 – 13 Driffield

Ilkley were not prepared to accept this poor start, and Johnson went in for the try five minutes later, converted from the touch-line by Ramsay.  Ilkley 28 – 13 Driffield

It would be another 15 minutes before another score, when Robinson weaved his magic to find a way through for the try, converted by Watts.  Ilkley 28 – 20 Driffield

But six minutes later, Erskine got the bonus point fourth try for Ilkley, converted by Ramsay to stretch the lead.  Ilkley 35 – 20 Driffield

Try as they might, Driffield were staring defeat in the eye with three scores needed.  But their style of 80-minute rugby kept them in the hunt until, with just three minutes left, McKinnon took the ball from a penalty five yards out and crashed over for the try, converted by   Ilkley 35 – 27 Driffield

Still needing another score to rescue some league points, Driffield kept up the pressure.  With the final play of the game, Robson went over for the try, converted by Watts.  Ilkley 35 – 34 Driffield

Driffield will be relieved to rescue two points from a game that looked out of sight, but will have to look at why the defence had more holes than normal.  Ilkley will be pleased that have found form again.

Heath’s victory over Alnwick means the two switch league places, and Driffield retain second.