IT was defeat for Ilkley on Saturday following a lacklustre display, as old foes Sandal edged the fixture 22-17.

The match was a far cry from the epic battle that took place between the two sides in 2008, with both teams battling it out for Yorkshire league One honours. Sandal claimed victory on that day too, as they ground out a 15-7 victory in one of the best and most intense grassroots matches ever witnessed.

Saturday’s encounter didn’t quite match the intensity of 2008 and for the most part was a fairly turgid affair, possibly reflecting the fact that the business end of the league is nearing and promotion (Billingham) and relegation (West Bridgford and either Paviors or Scunthorpe) spots are close to being decided.

Chuckie Ramsay gave his side an early three-point lead, as Ilkley couldn’t capitalise on their early dominance.

That was pretty much it as far as Ilkley’s first half went. They conceded penalty number one (of fourteen in the match) from the kick off for failing to roll away.

Penalty number four, after some strong Sandal driving, saw skipper Joe Lowes yellow carded and Sandal were gifted another lineout five metres out. Several phases were required before wily scrum half Cam Allen darted over for the opening try. 7-3 to the home side.

One of Sandal’s next attacks down the right saw Joey Allott going over in the corner. 12-3.

Another try, with Ilkley defenders falling off tackles, this time from James Ellar out wide followed quickly after to take the score to 17-3.

Lowes returned to the fray with his side ten points worse off than at his enforced rest period.

It went from bad to worse as two lineouts were lost and Sandal won penalty number six on half way. A storming run through the middle by man-mountain lock Austin Thompson who was felled on the ILKLEY 22. Penalty number seven produced another drive at the visitors’ line. A scrum to Sandal produced the bonus point try as Allott went over to bag his brace, 22-3.

Coaches Andrew Clithero and Rhys Morgan would have to kick the hairbrush about in the warmth of the changing room to get any change out of the bank in the second period.

Steven Costello replaced Alex Powell. Blake Morgan swapped positions with Archie Elgood and the half got underway with a rare penalty to Ilkley. Sandal, aware of the danger of a quick one, held onto the ball and despite the best efforts of van Oekel it wasn’t forthcoming. Costello went to assist but, in the melee, was ruled to have used his knee illegally. The referee’s (correct) response was a red card and an essay in his notebook. Powell returned to make up the eight forwards at the expense of the unfortunate Elgood and Ilkley had to face 38 minutes with 14 men and a 19 point deficit.

Magee, Kodie Brook and the flying Dutchman van Oekel went close.

The long-awaited first XV debut of Josh Pinder arrived as Ollie Ham took a well-deserved rest.

Ilkley had a scrum and won it. Morgan found Brook on a great line to score under the posts. 22-10.

Was the comeback back on? A great steal on halfway saw the ball pop out to Keiran Wileyman who set off like a train for the try line and scored out wide. Ramsay’s conversion was good to reduce the deficit to 22-17. However, it was too little too late and the full-time whistle blew.