The Illts traveled to league leaders Aberdare on Saturday hoping to close the gap and delay the promotion party for the hosts and avenge their only home defeat of the season. It was the home side who were celebrating however, clinching promotion with a deserved victory in a splendid match where the clinical finishing of Aberdare being the main difference between the teams.
The Illts started well and took the lead with a well struck penalty from outside half Sean Cochlin. Aberdare crossed for the first try after a break away left the Illts defence disorganised, the sharp home scrum half nipping over for a try. Another flowing attack soon after had the Illts defence scrambling, when the penalty was given away the home side kicked to the corner and a well executed lineout drive extended the lead to 10-3.
The Illts had their opportunities in the first half, with Jason Smith and Tom Wheeler both prominent, but a combination of poor finishing and excellent home defence kept the visitors scoreless. When the Illts lost the ball on a turnover, another rapid attack saw the Illts eventually run out of defenders for the right wing to score, 15-3 at the break.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with the Illts having the edge at lineout and scrums and creating chances, but Aberdare looking very dangerous and attacking with real pace and intent when they got the ball. The home fly half stretched over for the BP try 10 minutes after the break and things looked bleak for the Illts at this point.
They fought back with winger Ben McHardy, who had a splendid game scoring in the corner after some great handling from the visiting backs. And the comeback seemed on when a knock on by the home 15 in his own 22 almost from the restart gave the Illts a scrum from which Tom Wheeler broke and released sub scrum half James Harris to score, with Cochlin converting to bring the score to 20-15.
In the context of the run in a losing bonus point would have been a decent result but the Illts went for the win and this led to a breathless last 10 minutes where Aberdare had several chances as the Illts tried to desperately attack from deep. An interception allowed Aberdare to win a penalty which they converted with the last kick of the match to deny the Illts a bonus point, 23-15 the final score.
Congratulations to Aberdare on promotion, they are one of the best teams i have seen at this level for several years and will surely go on to clinch the title. The Illts will hope to join them in Division 2 next year, but that will be no easy task with 3 tough away games still to go.
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