York 2s precision and power enabled them to edge what proved to be a close encounter against a never say die Ilkley 2nd XV, securing a 25 points to 17 victory to improve their position in the Yorkshire and North East Merit Table. Second team rugby is proving an elusive event in the modern game and credit goes to both sides who worked hard to overcome injuries and availability issues to stage what was an engaging competition from start to finish.

York started strongly with Perry, Hepworth and Enslin running powerful lines, making dents in the Ilkley defence and putting York on the front foot which the York back line were keen to exploit. Crewe and Dunham moved the phase ball quickly and accurately and Dent and Taylor in particular were keen to continue the assault from the centre. It was Ilkley that opened the scoring very much against the run of play when they kicked speculatively into the right-hand corner, turning the York defence. Good following up by the Ilkley back line put York under pressure on their own line enabling them to turn the ball over and score. York 0, Ilkley 5.

York kicked deep into the Ilkley 22 from the kick off. Ilkley’s kick return was stopped in its tracks as it met the immovable force of Perry whose tackling was solid throughout the game. The game was abruptly stopped not by the referee’s whistle but by the ball carrier’s cry of agony, falling awkwardly in the tackle and damaging his ankle. The game was stopped for an extended period as he received treatment on the field before being taken to hospital. Play resumed in the Ilkley half and it wasn't long before the York pressure resulted in a try. A strong carry by Enslin created quick phase ball that York exploited, drawing their opposite number in the backs to put the full back over; York 7, Ilkley 5.

York established a stranglehold on the game with some good, structured rugby, Enslin combining well with his back row colleagues to keep Ilkley on the back foot. Dent adding to the pressure cutting some lovely out-to-in lines that fixed the defence and set up good phase ball. It was only York’s inaccuracy that kept Ilkley hanging on at this stage, their unforced errors relieving the pressure on a valiant Ilkley defence.

York’s second try was the pick of the game. A neat step inside by Taylor wrong footed the defence and gave him the space to cut to the line. He showed good strength and determination to carry over under the posts despite the attention of the scrambling defence. Dunham made the easy conversion to extend York’s lead 14-5.

The lead was short lived as Ilkley exploited some inaccurate passing in the York back line taking advantage of the knock on by York kicking the loose ball towards the York line. The Ilkley back line was quick to follow. Taylor turned and showed good pace and determination to get back and prevent the try but had too many attackers to contend with. Ilkley crossed wide on the left to close the gap to four points. Dunham’s penalty closed the scoring and the half, York 17, Ilkley10.

The events of the first half suggested that York would run away with this game but the half time team talk seemed to have the desired effect on an Ilkley side that came out much more energised and livelier. They played with more pace and accuracy moving the ball quickly through the hands and running some nice lines that asked questions of the York defence which had to work hard for a sustained period to keep them out. As the half wore on York were looking tired, concentration levels were falling and for a while a positive result looked in doubt.

A penalty from Dunham relieved the pressure, restoring the York lead 20 points to 17. It proved a turning point in the half as York started to find their shape again. York established dominance again but the effort was starting to tell in the legs and the injuries were taking their toll. Taylor and Lowery were both off the field by this point and the York bench of two had been emptied. This is when the side showed its character and commitment to each other and stepped up to secure the victory through hard yards and grit peppered by glimpses of brilliance - Ben ‘Sonny Bill’ Hepworth showed skills his father could only dream of when he stepped inside, threw the subtlest of dummies to go through the gap before offloading from the back of his hand as he was being tackled.

Dunham secured the game for York in the last five minutes. Strong carrying by the forwards in the middle of the field put York on the attack in the Ilkley 22m area. The ball was moved to the right, the defence flooded with it. Dunham stepped, cut against the grain and crossed the line to the right of the post. Final Score York 25, Ilkley 17.