Progression in defeat at Ilkley
JUST two points and one place in the North 1 East league table separated the opponents on a glorious day in the Yorkshire Dales.
A close and exciting game was anticipated and although the scoreline proved to be larger than expected the crowd was treated to a fast and entertaining match.
It was the home side who opened more confidently with their big forwards presenting their half-backs with good quality ball to test the Rochdale defence.
A couple of high kicks were dealt with by Blair Henry and James Duffy in turn but the Ilkley attack was relentless and didn’t allow Rochdale to settle.
Quickfooted centre Nolson accelerated through a gap in midfield before moving the ball to the right wing for JH Johnson to score.
Kimber failed with the conversion for the home side.
Rochdale were stung into action and it was forwards Andy Donoghue and Bob Birtwell who carried them to the home 22 where a penalty was conceded by Ilkley and Duffy duly despatched it to make it 5-3.
The Ilkley forwards took their turn and drove Rochdale into their 22 where a splendid tackle by Jonathan Bradley looked to have stemmed the threat. But the home side kept possession and the backs switched the flow and eventually worked Nolson in for his second try. This time Kimber made no mistake with the conversion.
Once again, Rochdale reacted positively but, after Josh Schofield made a determined outside break and was awarded a try, the referee realised the Rochdale touch judge was signalling a foot in touch.
Rochdale’s reaction to the disappointment was to strike right back. Runs from Tom Hindle and Dale Slamon took them back into the Ilkley 22 and the home side conceded another penalty. Scrumhalf Alun Tweedale took it quickly and the Rochdale pack were able to drive over the line, prop Harry Hill claiming the score and Duffy adding the extras.
The home side ended the half strongly but the Rochdale defence, inspired by captain Rob Neave – at 5ft 6ins bringing down two of the biggest forwards on the field within two seconds of one another – held out to bring the half to a close at 12-10.
Rochdale were caught cold at the start of the second half as scrum-half Collard switched the play from right to left and caught the visiting backs short of numbers. Good hands and cool heads gave centre Monks an easy score. Kimber made no mistake with the kick to extend Ilkley’s lead to 19-10.
It was Rochdale’s turn to kick deep and put pressure the home full-back. In an attempted chargedown, Hindle collided with the full-back and fell awkwardly on him. Unfortunately, Vincent was injured and it earned Hindle a yellow card even though there appeared to be no intent in the contact. Hindle left the field but the Ilkley captain was able to continue.
To add to the Rochdale woes Tom Helliwell, who had been performing well in the Rochdale lineouts, took an awkward knock and was replaced by Chris Hodgkinson. Ilkley were playing with lots of confidence by that stage and Rochdale, one man short, were finding it hard work.
When the ball came wide to Johnson on the right he used his size to crash through young Henry’s tackle but was brought down by good cover from Schofield. The home side retained possession and moved the ball quickly to the left and Monks dotted down their bonus point fourth try. Kimber just failed with the conversion attempt.
Hindle returned to the field and a well-timed pass by Jonny Mair gave Schofield the chance of an outside break but he was hauled down short of the line. Rochdale earned a penalty and Duffy slotted it between the posts.
But Ilkley pulled clear again when Johnson powered his way over.
Rochdale once again responded with Birtwell making the initial break, Neave providing the support and then linking with forwards Slamon and then Donoghue before handing on to Schofield to scoot in for a well-worked try. Duffy drifted the kick wide.
Young Blair Henry was replaced by Jamie Johnson who was unfortunate not to hold on to an interception attempt a few minutes later. Ilkley played their way into the Rochdale 22 and won the lineout and took the driving maul close to the line before releasing to scrumhalf Collard to cross untouched. Kimber duly added the points to complete the scoring.
Although it seems a heavy loss and Ilkley thoroughly deserved the margin, Rochdale can see their youngsters making progress as they gain valuable experience at the higher pace and intensity of the game at first team level.