Illy Battle To Victory

The hosts took an early lead when a good passing movement gave Scott Allen the opportunity to put Luke Keoghan over in the right hand corner.

On eleven minutes the advantage was extended as Joe Crossland’s break saw Kev Smith feed Michael Briggs who fought off a number of defenders to touch down by the corner flag. Dale Taylor’s touchline conversion made it 10-0.

Hull Wyke hit back on the quarter hour, industrious hooker Ben Townsend crashing over from a play the ball five yards out. Illingworth replied at the mid-point of the half, Taylor and Briggs setting up Shaun Keoghan for an unconverted try, making the score 14-4 to the home side.

A defensive error allowed centre Ian Cross reduce his side’s deficit, Alex Hardie’s conversion binging his Hull Wyke to within four pints.

Josh Baldwin’s midfield burst set up Briggs for a forty yard run to the line, Ben Harris and Smith being predominant in the approach play.

Luke Shaw however replied making it 18-14 game at the half. Crossland and Baldwin featured prominently two minutes into the second half setting up a try for Allen who finished well towards the left hand touchline.

The response was almost immediate, Danny Runkee finding a gap in the home defence, and Hardie’s conversion bringing Hull Wyke to within two points.

Luke Sutcliffe steadied home nerves with a superbly weighted grubber kick into the in goal area and winning the race for the touchdown. Luke Keoghan’s conversion stretched the points difference to eight at 28-20.

Illingworth and Allen produced the try of the of the game on the hour mark as Briggs’ break found Allen and his outrageous dummy and inside pass to Sutcliffe resulted in four points.

Steve Driscoll and Tom Goddard with unconverted tries drew their side to within four points before a last minute penalty slotted over by Briggs sealed Illingworth’s win.