For the second game in succession Penrith just failed at the death to claim the victory as they lost 37-36 at home to Ilkley.
A last gasp penalty just drifted wide that would have given them the win before Christmas against Driffield and this time they lost the lead in the final minutes to an Ilkley penalty.
They picked up two valuable bonus points as they did against Driffield, and it could so easily have been 10, but when you are struggling these things tend to go against you.
All that said this was a thrilling end-to-end game with the lead changing hands seven times and wonderful entertainment for the neutral and although Penrith were disappointed at the end they had played with great courage and conviction and are certainly heading in the right direction.
There were two major influences in this game, the first was the power of the home scrummage. They shunted the visitors off their own ball in the first scrum to win a penalty and continued to dominate.
The second was the speed and ability of the Ilkley backs, especially their full-back, If the home defenders could get tight on them they had a chance but in the open spaces they were in real trouble.
The Cumbrians opened the scoring following a penalty and a raking touch finder from Isaac Murray that put his forwards just yards from the line.
Lee Chapman’s throw found Ant Davies jumping at the front of the line and they set up the maul. It crabbed down the touchline before Greg Wrathall broke off and dived over in the corner.
As has so often happened recently Penrith allowed the opposition straight back in the game. They failed to claim the restart, conceded a penalty and were defending an attacking line out which the visitors worked well to level the scores. The successful conversion put them two points ahead.
Penrith weren’t long in regaining the lead. Chapman and Davies combined from a lineout in a similar position to the first score, but this time the forwards couldn’t force the score.
When the ball came to the backs, Joe Spencely stepped inside his man and the move looked to have lost it’s momentum but he lobbed the ball to Murray at pace and his strong run saw him make the line shrugging of at least one tackler.
The home side led 12-7 and had chances to extend their lead using the strength of their scrummaging but didn’t quite manage the score.
Ilkley then finished the half strongly and after a period of pressure in the home 22 and three tap penalties their full back found the gap to score. He then scored another dazzling try from open play and the home side trailed 19-12 at the break.
Penrith started the second period strongly, and from another attacking line-out Chapman and Davies combined again.
The resultant maul was held up five metres out and again Wrathall broke off and took two men over with him to score.
They added another try shortly after when Spencely took the ball directly from a scrum just into the 22 and was tackled in the shadow of the posts.
Two defenders on the wrong side denied Penrith quick ball and the referee awarded a penalty. Ashton Hook had it taken and was over the line before the visitors had time to react. Murray’s conversion gave his side a 24-19 lead.
Ilkley levelled the score at 24 apiece with more devastating running by their full-back and then took a 31-24 lead with a catch and drive from an attacking line-out.
As the game went into the final quarter the home side were again able to apply some pressure. They worked another try with Spencely taking the ball directly from the scrum and making inroads.
This time he found Murray at pace outside him and he fed Sonny Askins who cut back and his direct run made the line. The home side trailed by two but then five after a well struck penalty.
As the game went into the final ten minutes Rob Coward gave his side a real chance when he read the floated pass to the full back and stepped in from the wing to make the interception. He went in under the posts unopposed and Penrith led 36-34.
They looked in no great danger but with two minutes to go conceded a penalty wide out. The visitors took the shot at goal to win the game but it drifted wide.
The Cumbrians had been given a reprieve but then conceded another penalty at a rather better angle for the kicker and he made no mistake with this one.
There was time to re-start the game but with Ilkley securing the ball all they had to do was put the ball into touch to claim the victory.
It was ultimately frustrating for the home side but very much better than many recent games and the 69-14 lesson they had received down at Ilkley in October.
