York RUFC loses scrap with in-form hosts Ilkley (From York Press)

York RUFC loses scrap with in-form hosts Ilkley

10:10am Monday 29th October 2012 in Rugby Union

A SCRAPPY game saw York RUFC consigned to their sixth defeat in nine Yorkshire One outings as they went down 29-22 at Ilkley.

Second-placed Ilkley are among the front-runners in the promotion race, while the Clifton Parkers, who gleaned a bonus point from their trip to West Yorkshire, are languishing in ninth place in the table.

Ilkley opened the scoring with an unconverted try on four minutes, but York’s Ben Hobson reduced the arrears with a penalty five minutes later before failing with a second attempt.

Hobson was taken to hospital after suffering a badly broken nose on the half hour mark.

York were enjoying some pressure but the hosts extended their lead on 36 minutes with a converted try.

Mark Benson then had a try ruled out for the visitors, but they struck shortly afterwards through Willem Enslin from an enterprising quick tap penalty.

Ben Johnson added the extras to make it 12-10 at the break.

Johnson missed a penalty attempt on 50 minutes and Ilkley then bagged their third touch down and the conversion put them 19-10 ahead.

Alex Nixon crossed under the posts for York and again Johnson added the extras, but the home side responded with another seven-pointer.

Enslin’s second try ended the scoring.

York are one place and five points behind North Yorkshire rivals Scarborough, who were edged out 15-10 at home by Old Brodleians.

Fourth-placed Driffield are six points behind leaders Huddersfield YMCA following their 33-10 triumph at home to Bridlington.

Meanwhile, York RI crashed to a 58-16 defeat at Hemsworth in Yorkshire Three.

The reverse leaves the New Lane club second from bottom of the table with only one win in nine games.