Match Preview

Mixed fortunes last weekend, sees Ilkley with a four point advantage over Kendal, after they completed a season double over fourth place Lymm with a bonus point win, against a team who have only lost three other times this season. It has been a mixed season for Ilkley, as the week before they had only had a one point home win over Birkenhead Park, who beat us last weekend.

Their season started with four wins (including against us and away at Billingham) to be followed by four losses including Sandal and Pocklington. This was followed by double bonus point performances against both Preston and Hull. More recently losses against Preston and Harrogate were preceded by a narrow win over Wirral and a draw against Hull

In the first game of the season of the season Ilkley started against us at high pace quickly building up a 14v0 lead after just ten minutes, but team fought back to only lose by four points, and had several chances for scores that could have given them a winning start to the season.

In a fortnight Ilkely’s final game is against Rossendale who have only lost to Preston and Harrogate since early November, whilst we have the daunting task of a visit to Billingham, who last weekend became only the second team to beat the Hoppers this season. So a win for either side this weekend will be key in the battle with Kirkby (home to Birkenhead Park) and Wirral (away at Pocklington) for seventh place.

TEAM : Jacob Sutton is still out, so John Dervey keeps his place in the second row, Ross McKay who was ill last weekend returns in the back row, Garry Holmes returns to hooker and Robbie Collinson to the bench.
In late changes, Craig Wilson comes into the second row in place of Ben Leacock, Jordan Johnson replaces Dini Noyo on the wing and Dan Wilson joins the bench.

Nathan Wooff was also selected to start, but has just become a father once more! - Congratulations from all at the club

WEATHER : Looking good – Come on down for the last senior rugby at Mintbridge for four months (excluding upcoming County games), with the Development Team and the Wasps having already finished their home programmes.