Ilkley 10–24 Castleford U17 Colts
Castleford arrived at Stacks Field, Ilkley for the top of the table clash with confidence, enthusiasm, but—crucially—no outside centre. He, unfortunately, was locked in mortal combat with Google Maps, the A65, and possibly an elephant?!!!
Fortunately, Ilkley’s manager, kindly agreed to start 14 v 14, proving once again that Ilkley is the Switzerland of junior rugby.
In the early stages Ilkley came out sharp. Evasive running and a speculative kick, were met by some “firm” tackling from the Castleford boys. The referee, rightly, was not swayed by the enthusiastic home support and allowed the battle to continue unabated.From the ensuing scramble, Ilkley nearly scored, only for their winger to be flattened five yards out by the Castleford defender who moonlights as a human exocet missile.
Their lad needed air; Castleford needed a breather. Both got what they wanted.
Ilkley then made a personnel change bringing on a clearly popular figure to enthusiastic applause from the crowd. Fortunately, one of our own fan favourites entered the fray. Our awol centre had finally arrived, slightly dishevelled and muttering about wildlife and road closures. Numbers restored, the game resumed.
A penalty on our five‑metre line gave Ilkley their chance. Forwards thundering in, our goal line defence was heroic but ultimately tried too hard allowing Ilkley to power over. 5–0. Conversion missed, much to our relief.Our plucky league leaders and connoisseurs of mid game pressure, began to settle. Our wall like defence refusing to yield to a number of heavy engagements from the Ilkley pack. Finally our boys grit and determination paid off when we were awarded a kickable penalty which was slotted with the calm of a lad ordering a McFlurry. 5–3.
Then came the comedy. Ilkley’s pack turned over the restart and Ilkley charged up the field before throwing a perfect pass out wide, but mistaking the touch judge for one of their own and throwing the ball into touch, from which we politely accepted the lineout.However Ilkley quickly regrouped and some good footwork again saw them taking territory off of our boys as they struck again 10–3.With the break fast approaching, our props began to find their groove, one producing a run that some described as “barnstorming”, taking him under the sticks, conversion added, 10–10 at half-time.
The Cas lads regrouped and refocused. With lungs refilled, spirits rose and belief filled their hearts.
On resumption, twenty minutes of trench warfare followed. Tackles thudded, legs burned, but our defensive line operated like a medieval fortress—not pretty, but impossible to breach.Then came the moment, it was the wingers time to shine as we jinked 50 yards down field, leaving Ilkley defenders grasping at shadows, before finding support, finishing with the neatness of someone folding uniform for inspection. 10–17.Ilkley battered away, but our boys held firm. Eventually tempers boiled over culminating in a scuffle that saw both teams lose a player to the referee’s card for floating like a butterfly but stinging like a bit of a lost jellyfish. Tempers cooled, rugby resumed, Ilkley threw everything at our defensive line. Their lineout was sharp, their pack relentless, but our boys continued the hard but fair rhetoric, thwarting the Ilkley attack at every turn before clearing our line.With the clock ticking down, our lads broke free, gliding through the line, and touching down with the knowledge that the successful conversion would secure a well deserved victory and our place at the head of the league table.
Final score 10–24.
A brutal, breathless U17 clash where Ilkley showed their metal. The Castleford lads were stubborn at times but brilliant where required fuelled by grit, determination and the eternal mystery of the A65 elephant.