Ilkley v Melrose - The Tweed & Warfe Cup

Ilkley v Melrose – 15/8/26

A friendly match between Ilkley and Melrose Rugby Clubs, for the newly minted “Tweed and Wharfe” Cup started off the 2026/27 fifteen-a-side season. As the game was to be played in 4 quarters it was decided that the first two quarters would make up the fixture for the Cup. Ilkley wingers caused major problems early on with their number 11 scoring an unconverted try within minutes of the start. The Melrose pack then took over with Henno Bowe scoring to the right of the posts and Luke Townsend adding the conversion. Ilkley replied with a well worked backs move with their other winger scoring and converting before kicking a monster penalty from half-way. Just at the end of the second quarter Paddy Anderson dived over for an unconverted try, but the final score for the Cup was 15-12 in favour of Ilkley.

The third quarter started with the hosts making several changes to their team to give some senior game time to some of their younger players. Melrose took advantage of this and started to score a few more points with tries by Finn Douglas (4), Ben Pickles, Doug Crawford, Millar Anderson and Bowe (again). Roly Brett added on conversion and Doug Crawford 3.

Ilkley 15 Melrose 60

Melrose squad – Callum Anderson, Millar Anderson, Paddy Anderson, Henno Bowe, Roly Brett, Angus Common, Donald Crawford, Doug Crawford, Sam Derrick, Finn Douglas, Max Foy, Craig Greer, Connor Henderson, Logan Kirk, Christian Olesen, Ben Pickles, Zander Ramage, Charlie Robbie, Angus Runciman, Elliot Ruthven, Zen Szwagrzak, Luke Townsend.