YORK RI's best performance of the season was just not enough to win their Junior Vase first round tie against Ilkley at New Lane.

Unbeaten, and a league higher than RI, Ilkley won 18-5 but only after being forced to defend for long spells with Tom Spilman, Hugh Rodden and Mike Duggan driving RI forward.

As Ilkley tried to counter attack a clearing kick fell straight in to the arms of Tim Nash, who chipped the onrushing Ilkley backs, collected the ball and dived over in the corner.

It was no more than RI deserved but their over-eagerness proved their downfall and two Simon Smith penalties before the break gave Ilkley a 6-5 lead.

RI started the second half by taking the game to Ilkley and nearly grabbed the lead when Rod Simms was hauled down just short of the line.

Ilkley extended their lead when their backs found a gap to send Mick Bell over the line. Smith converted.

Even at 13-5 down the game was still up for grabs but Ilkley were given a helping hand when Chris Austin was sin-binned for retaliation and just before the end Alan Hutchinson scored to give Ilkey an 18-5 victory.

Updated: 11:04 Monday, September 22, 2003