EDF NATIONAL SENIOR VASE ROUND TWO
SKIPTON 12 – 16 ILKLEY (AFTER EXTRA TIME)
Skipton lost their first game for six months but any
disappointment was nullified by the achievement of holding Ilkley, from a higher
division, to a 9-9 draw at the end of normal time.
Indeed, the teams were so closely matched that the result
remained in doubt until the final whistle of extra time and this was a cup
match of nail biting proportions.
The Reds certainly proved that if they can keep their
promotion challenge going in the league then elevation to Division one will
cause them no problem in the future.
Every Skipton player gave 100% for the entire game but it
was the performance of the forwards, both in effort and defence, who were
awesome and outstanding. Ilkley’s forwards are noted for their strength but
Skipton’s forwards tamed them on Saturday.
In the first twenty minutes of the game, Skipton had 75% of
the play and a penalty kick from each side (Darren Howson for Skipton) made a
score of 3-3.
Brilliant defence work from both sides meant kicking was the
only means of scoring.
Then the Reds had a bad spell. After an altercation, both
hookers were sin binned but Ilkley were awarded the penalty and went 3-6 ahead.
Then, when the Reds could have recouped this setback, two easy penalty kicks in
their favour were both missed and the chance for Skipton to take the lead had
gone.
Nevertheless, the 100% effort continued and half time
arrived with a score of 6-9, the Reds having pulled back three points from a
penalty kick by Alex Naylor who had now taken over kicking duties.
The entire second half was frenetically exciting and yet
completely scoreless apart from another successful penalty kick by Alex Naylor
to make a 9-9 scoreline. The lack of
scoring being testimony to massive defence work by both sides. For Skipton, the
forwards all deserve mention but in particular props Phil Crossman and James
Riches for sheer strength, flanker Michael Snowden for his high tackle rate and
No 8 Sam Boatwright for tireless effort.
When extra time started Ilkley pulled off a master stroke
and effectively won the game in the first seconds. From the very first line out
they stole Skipton ball at the throw in, saw a gap and scored the only try of
the game.
But this merely raised the tension. Alex Naylor had pulled
back another three points for Skipton with another successful penalty kick and,
with the score 12-16, both teams played “till they dropped”. The largest crowd
of the season at Sandylands stayed riveted to the game but Ilkley hung on for
the narrowest of victories.