Ilkley 24

Rossendale 27

IN a close game at Stacks Fields, it was Rossendale who came out victorious in an entertaining 27-24 victory over Ilkley.

It was the hosts who touched down first thanks to winger Josh Hall on 11 minutes. Nine minutes later and Rossendale were level after captain Nick Flynn was pushed over by the Rossendale pack, the try converted by Lewis Allen.

Ilkley’s response was immediate, a kick from half way and their backs attacked to score but the conversion was missed leaving the score at 10-7.

Eight minutes before half time Tom Leader broke through a tackle to score under the post and Allen converted.

It was two tries in a matter of minutes from the visitors as they caught the ball from a line out and drove over for Ryan McKibben to score with Allen converting.

Fifteen minutes into the second half, Ilkley got back into the match after Ben Magee broke through the Rossendale defence to score. The conversion was scored to reduced the deficit to 17-21.

The home side then took the lead as straight from kick off another good attack allowed Magee to break through and cross the line. The conversion was converted and Ilkley led 24-21.

Rossendale responded with Allen slotting a penalty from the 22 to level the scores and six minutes from time he again converted a penalty to edge the away side into a match winning lead.

There was not enough time for the home side to respond and Rossendale held out to claim a battling victory and make it three wins in four matches ahead of their trip to Pocklington on Saturday.

A penalty on the 22 to Rossendale allowed Allen to score his penalty and level the match up 24-24.

Six minutes from the end, the Rossendale forward continued to dominate and were again awarded a penalty which allowed Allen to put the visitors back in the lead, 24-27.

The match finished 27-24 to Rossendale, taking their winning streak to matches as they travel to Pocklington on the 7th October.