Saracens turn on style to beat Ilkley in Tim Bucknall Trophy

From the archive, first published Thursday 9th Feb 2006.

Ilkley 7 Otley Saracens 57

The annual match for the prized Tim Bucknall Trophy was contested at Stacks Field on Saturday. Otley fielded a Saracens side brimming with experience, talent and youthful exuberance.

Ilkley fielded an as near full strength side as was possible given that one or two regulars were nursing niggling injuries which will benefit from a week's respite ahead of Saturday's key home league fixture with Halifax outfit Old Crossleyans.

The sizeable crowd was treated to an exhibition of exciting free-flowing rugby from the Otley team, all of whom were anxious to stake a claim to first team berths ahead of their important league fixture with Sedgley Park.

Here was a side who could boss the line-out, hold the scrum firm and, when required feed a hungry, fast and very talented back line.

Ilkley competed seriously for 20 minutes, having clawed a 10-0 deficit back to 7-10, and were unlucky not to have a try awarded after an Otley player knocked the ball to Ian Mackenzie. However the try was disallowed.

After that Ilkley were never really in the game although they did not give up trying.

A nine try scoring-fest was the outcome. All the Otley tries were a pleasure to behold. They were a real mix of flowing backs moves and well-engineered forwards' tries.

Only one, an interception inside their own 22, came from Ilkley errors. The Saracens were too good on the day. The Ilkley players will have learned something from this defeat. It is to be hoped that those lessons are positive and that heads will be lifted by the coaching staff as they prepare for Saturday's match.

Otley should have scored early on when Owen Edwards joined the line but the ball was dropped. Otley soon regained possession for the forwards to drive over, Ben Forbes claiming the try.

In perfect conditions Saracens were playing an expansive game and when they were stopped short young scrum-half Tom Boyle worked the blind side to go over.

Ilkley hit back with good handling and Otley had to defend to keep them out but the line was eventually broken with a converted try.

Martin Ainsworth then made a good break and when he was stopped the ball was re-cycled quickly for Owen Edwards to race over.

Saracens were playing with confidence and in the next attack the pack drove to the line where Duncan Sayers drove over to make it 22-7 at half-time.

Otley were soon on the attack again from the re-start and Richard Pike, who was having a lively game in the loose, took the ball to drive over.

Ilkley were contributing to an entertaining game but they were unfortunate when they set up a good move only for the final pass to be intercepted by Owen Edwards who raced the length of the field to score.

Both sides made use of replacements as the pace of the game continued to entertain a large crowd but it was Otley who scored again when Tom Rock came on the angle to put Xaviar Andre in for a try.

With time running out both side were taking risks to keep the ball alive and Richard Pike took a crash ball to go over.

Saracens spread the ball in the last minute and when Xaviar Andre was held he managed to get the ball out to the supporting Edwards who completed his hat-trick.

Alistair Monks kept his backs moving throughout as well as kicking six conversions.

So the trophy returns to Cross Green after two years at Stacks Field after a game played in excellent spirit as befits a memorial game.

l On Saturday Otley travel to Sedgley Park following their rest last weekend. The saracens entertain Sedgley Park at Cross Green, kick-off 2.30 pm.

Otley Tongans 3 Cleckheaton 5

AS the score suggests this was an evenly contested game with the score in doubt right up to the final whistle.

The visitors were a very strong, experienced side who were used to playing together and they dominated the first quarter.

Tongans were a young side but what they lacked in experience they made up for with enthusiasm. As half-time approached they came more into the game but they could not pierce a strong defence and the game was scoreless at the turn round.

Tongans made a lively start and when Cleckheaton got off-side Henry Connell kicked a good penalty. Shortly after he was just wide with one from the touchline.

With time ticking away it looked as though Tongans would hang on for a narrow win but in the closing minutes Otley were penalised at a scrum and the visitors kicked for the corner.

The ball was won from the line-out and whilst Otley held several drives Cleckheaton eventually got over and whilst the home side claimed the ball had not been grounded the try was awarded, followed by the final whistle.

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