Dinnington withstand pressure to take points

An excellent team performance by Dinnington saw them come out on top against second placed Ilkley, but it still leaves them third from bottom of the division.

Dinnington had first use of the elements and started the game putting Ilkley under a lot of pressure.

With five minutes played Jonny West put the home side ahead with a penalty and three minutes later, after Ilkley had been caught offside, he added a second to make it 6-0.

Ilkley then had a spell of pressure which started when Dinnington were turned over in mid-field and the visitors set up an attack.

Good defence held them up just short of the line but further pressure saw Dinnington penalised at a scrum and Ilkley landed a penalty.

The initiative appeared to be swinging Ilkley’s way as Dinnington had a player sent to the bin minutes later but although the visitors pushed Dinnington back into their own 22 the home side held out.

Frustration in the Ilkley side saw them having a player sin-binned 10 minutes before half-time and this allowed Dinnington to get back on top in the final minutes but the closest them came to scoring was a penalty that was just off target.

Dinnington started the second half knowing their slender lead would be hard to defend but they made an excellent start, scoring within two minutes.

They collected and returned the kick-off close to the Ilkley line where they won a lineout.

The forwards worked the ball through a couple of phases before Sam Kirk crashed over in the corner.

Ilkley showed their intent by coming straight back and three minutes later cut the lead with a penalty, but Dinnington’s response was almost immediate as West replied with a penalty of his own after just being off target with a drop goal attempt a minute earlier.

Dinnington then came under almost constant pressure as they battled hard to defend their lead.

Ilkley had two clear chances to score with breakaways but both times Dinnington got back to save the situation and you could see the home side’s confidence rise.

Thirteen minutes from time Ilkley cut Dinnington’s lead to one point with a converted try but Dinnington were determined not to give up their advantage and came back at the visitors.

With just over five minutes to play they won a penalty at a line out and West converted, leaving Ilkley needing a try to win.

The visitors threw all they could at the home side but Dinnington’s defence stood firm giving them a precious four points.

Tomorrow, Dinnington are at home to Doncaster Phoenix, current leaders of Yorkshire Division Two, in the second round of the Yorkshire Shield.